Geremy Hess (Blogger)

Comparing Mohanlal’s impact with stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, or Adoor Gopalakrishnan is tricky because their contributions are unique. - Amitabh Bachchan gave Hindi cinema its “angry young man” identity and redefined stardom. - Rajinikanth became a cultural phenomenon with his style and charisma, embodying mass appeal. - Adoor Gopalakrishnan transformed art-house cinema with realism and depth. Mohanlal, on the other hand, blended art and commercial cinema seamlessly. He could play a common man in one film and a superhero-like figure in another. His natural acting style influenced generations of actors, particularly in Malayalam cinema, but his films also gained international recognition at festivals. So while Bachchan and Rajinikanth dominate with larger-than-life images, and Adoor with intellectual cinema, Mohanlal sits somewhere in between—a bridge connecting commercial and artistic expressions. That is why the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2025 feels both logical and well-deserved.