Kochi: After returning from receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Mohanlal was honoured by the 'Mathrubhumi' team in a special ceremony at Le Meridien Hotel, where the team expressed their admiration and respect for the actor.

Director of Operations at 'Mathrubhumi', MS Devika, presented Mohanlal with a silver Krishna idol, and a framed photograph of him receiving the Phalke Award from President Draupadi Murmu, which was featured on the newspaper’s front page. Mohanlal accepted the gifts with delight, saying, “This is great.”

“This is a very precious moment. After receiving the Phalke Award, I am receiving my first recognition from 'Mathrubhumi'. I have been associated with them for many years and share a close relationship with the 'Mathrubhumi' family. I have written a lot for the publication. This bond has existed since I started acting and continues even today,” he added. 

After the award ceremony, Mohanlal returned to his home in Elamakkara to meet his mother before heading for a shoot for 'Drishyam 3'. He also called producer Antony Perumbavoor from the location upon seeing the 'Mathrubhumi ' team.

Present at the felicitation were Senior News Editor S Prakash, Unit Manager Aishwarya Das, Assistant General Manager Media Solutions (Print) Vishnu Nagappally, Bureau Chief K Padmajan, Senior Chief News Photographer TK Pradeep Kumar, and News Associate Editor Biju Pankaj.

I should call it ecstasy- Mohanlal

Reflecting on the moment, Mohanlal said, “I was at the peak of happiness. I should call it ecstasy. A moment that will never come back. I thank God, the audience, and all of you. Shah Rukh Khan and others showed great love and respect—they were all very happy.”

Speaking about the significance of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, he added, “This is not an award for me alone. It is a recognition of the Indian cinema fraternity to which I belong. I dedicate it to those who walked before me.”

Did Mammootty call when you got the award?

We both called each other. I always call him. This award is not just for me. It is a recognition for the Indian cinema ‘fraternity’ of which he is a part.

You have joined the ranks of Raj Kapoor and Sivaji Ganesan with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. How do you feel?

It was a very blessed moment. I dedicate it to those who have walked before me.

Reaction of your children?

On the personal front, Mohanlal said his children were thrilled with his achievement. “Pranav is in Germany. He called. My daughter also called. They were excited,” he said.

What about ‘George Kutty’ from Drishyam 3? What will happen to George Kutty...?

I read the script, but I don’t know how it will move. It is a movie that audiences in all languages are waiting for. Anyway, something will happen to ‘George Kutty’...

Malayalam cinema has become a movie that is watched all over the world, beyond being Pan Indian. One achievement during the COVID period is that the movie ‘Drishyam’ has captured the world’s attention. It has reached many languages. Friends said that we should watch the movie ‘Hridayapoorvam’ in Hindi. Today, Malayalam movies are dubbed in Hindi and Marathi. It is a great achievement that Malayalam movies are reaching the world in various languages.