Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal was presented with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award — India’s highest cinematic honour — at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan on Tuesday, 23 September.

The citation was handed over personally by President Droupadi Murmu as the gathering rose in applause.

Earlier, following the announcement of the award, Mohanlal spoke of humility and gratitude and said he could not claim the honour for himself alone.

“This is a proud moment and I cannot enjoy this alone. I’m sharing this with everyone — the audience, those I have worked with in the past, the people I work with now and those I will work with in the future,” he said, dedicating the prize to Malayalam cinema.

He also underlined the award’s national significance: “The award is for the e

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