After being named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has been receiving a flood of congratulatory messages from across the country. Among them, one of the most viral and debated came from Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma.
In a post on X, Varma suggested that instead of Mohanlal receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, it should be the other way around. “I don’t know much about Dadasaheb Phalke except that he made the first-ever film, which I didn’t see and I never met anyone who saw it. But from what I saw and know of Mohanlal, I think Dadasaheb Phalke should be given the Mohanlal Award,” he wrote.
The unusual tribute sparked widespread discussions online. Some saw it as a tongue-in-cheek compliment to Mohanlal’s stature, while others criticised it for appearing dismissive of Indian cinema’s founding father.
I don’t know much about #DadasahebPhalke except that he’s made the 1st ever film , which i dint see and I never met anyone who saw it , but from what I saw and know of @Mohanlal , I think Dadasaheb Phalke should be given the MOHANLAL AWARD 💐🔥💪
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) September 20, 2025
Mohanlal, however, responded with grace when asked about the post during a press interaction on Sunday morning. “It’s just black humour, that’s all,” he said. “He has always been someone who makes such jokes. I share a good friendship with him. I acted in his film Company, which later became a cult classic. From that time onwards, I’ve known him to be a man of black humour. So I don’t think he meant it seriously—he simply expressed his thoughts differently from everyone else.”
At the same press meet, Mohanlal spoke emotionally about receiving the honour. “This award has been received by the greats of cinema before, and I feel deeply honoured to join their ranks,” he said. “I remember everyone who has been with me through these 48 years. Many who stood by me are no longer here, but I remember them all at this moment.”
The actor, who has completed nearly five decades in films, called the recognition a significant milestone in his career.