Actor Mohanlal was conferred with India’s third-highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan on Friday. The 58-year-old actor, fondly referred to as Lalettan by his fans, had won the Padma Shri in 2001.
Responding to the announcement, Mohanlal thanked the government and fans for their support.
Speaking to Asianet News, he said, “I feel very happy, proud that having worked for 40 years in films, the people who have worked along with me, stood with me and the viewers, I offer my thanks. I’m in Hyderabad for the shooting of Priyan’s ‘Marakkar....’ Last time, when I got the Padmashri, then too I was in Hyderabad while I was working on Priyan’s (Priyadarshan) cinema ‘Kakkakuyil’. I see it as a big endorsement. I wish to offer my thanks to everybody on this occasion.”
On being asked what kind of fillip this kind of an award will give the actor going forward, he said, “Every award definitely gives a lot of energy. Surely, this award has been given taking into consideration my body of work in cinema so far and I have utmost respect for the award. Definitely, this award will act as a big inspiration in my journey ahead.”
The seasoned thespian is a two-time winner of the National Award for Best Actor. He won his first National Award for Best Actor for Bharatham in 1991 and the second for Vanaprastham in 1999.
Mohanlal’s debut film was Thiranottam in 1978 but he got noticed with his second film Manjil Virinja Pookkal for his portrayal of the antagonist Narendran.
In a prolific career spanning four decades, Mohanlal has worked in over 300 films across Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages.
On the work front, Mohanlal is currently busy with Lucifer and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham. While Lucifer is being helmed by actor Prithviraj and it happens to be his maiden directorial, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham is being directed by Priyadarshan on a big budget. Lucifer is touted to be a summer release this year and Marakkar is slated for release early next year.
Following the announcement, congratulations soon poured in on Twitter.
#PadmabhushanMohanlal too late but a well deserved one ! Congrats to the finest actor of our country LALETTAN! pic.twitter.com/nOok5caIcT
— sangeethslal (@sangeethslal1) January 25, 2019
#Mohanlal, the Name is Enough!!!#PadmaBhushanMohanlal pic.twitter.com/TMJZFukfzU
— Random guy (@Rajeshm888) January 25, 2019
Proud moment
— (@Ani_Anikutty) January 25, 2019
as a Malayalee to see my all time favourite actor @Mohanlal being conferred with the Padma Bhushan Awards
Congrats lalettaaa #PADMABHUSHANMOHANLAL #PadmabhushanMohanlal #SreeFam pic.twitter.com/m2JQFgRRlP
Congratulating our very own Lalettaaa for making Malayalies & Kerala proud yet again#padmabhushanmohanlal pic.twitter.com/sMHEOFFcCx
— Fasil (@Fasil80897723) January 25, 2019