Mohanlal gets standing ovation for Dadasaheb Phalke Award win; Ashwini Vaishnaw calls him 'Real OG'

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw has hailed Malayalam actor and Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Mohanlal as the "real OG" at the National Film Awards event at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

Mohanlal accepted the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday as he received a standing ovation at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony. The award includes a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and Rs 10 lakh cash prize.

Minister Vaishnaw said, "Congratulations to the Real OG Mohanlal." He then switched to Malayalam, saying, "Thaangal oru uggran actor aanu", which roughly translates to "You're a superb actor". Calling him a legend, the minister urged the audience to give him a big round of applause.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee included Mithun Chakraborty, Shankar Mahadevan and Ashutosh Gowariker.

Besides Mohanlal, the Malayalam film industry won four other awards. Vijayaraghavan won the Best Supporting Actor for Pookkaalam while Urvashi won the Best Supporting Actress in Ullozhukku. MK Ramadas was conferred with the Special Mention award for documentary, Nekal - Chronicle of the Paddy Man.

Among Mohanlal's long list of awards include five National Film Awards and multiple Kerala State Film Awards in the past. His 1999 film Vanaprastham was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. He was also conferred with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2019.