The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s most prestigious cinematic honor, celebrates the visionaries who have defined and elevated Indian cinema since its inception in 1969. Named after Dadasaheb Phalke, the pioneer behind India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), this award recognizes unparalleled contributions to the art and industry of filmmaking. In 2025, the spotlight shines on Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal, honored during the 75th National Film Awards for his five-decade-long legacy. This article delves into the rich history of the award, its illustrious recipients, and its enduring impact on Indian cinema, offering a comprehensive look at the luminaries who have shaped the industry from 1969 to 2025.
The Legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke
Dadasaheb Phalke, revered as the Father of Indian Cinema, laid the foundation for an industry that would become one of the world’s largest. His 1913 silent film Raja Harishchandra marked the birth of Indian cinema, blending storytelling with cultural ethos. To honor his groundbreaking contributions, the Government of India established the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969, presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The award, comprising a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 1,000,000 (approximately US$13,000), is bestowed upon individuals for their “outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.” Selected by a committee of eminent film personalities, recipients represent the pinnacle of creative and cultural achievement.
Mohanlal: The 2025 Laureate
In 2025, the 75th Dadasaheb Phalke Award was conferred upon Mohanlal, a titan of Malayalam cinema, during the National Film Awards ceremony on September 23. With a career spanning over 360 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, Mohanlal’s versatility and emotional depth have made him a household name. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting lauded his ability to “inspire generations” through his nuanced performances and dedication to Kerala’s cultural heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to celebrate Mohanlal, describing him as “an epitome of versatility and a leading light in Malayalam cinema and theatre.” His win underscores the award’s commitment to recognizing talent across India’s diverse film industries.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners: Full List
Since its inception, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award has celebrated legendary figures of Indian cinema—actors, directors, playback singers, cinematographers, and more—who embody the diversity of the nation’s film heritage. The table below presents a complete record of awardees from 1969 to 2025, organized by Award Ceremony Year, Legend Honoured, and Regional Cinema.
| Award Ceremony Year | Legend Honoured | Regional Cinema |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (75th) | Mohanlal | Malayalam |
| 2024 (74th) | Mithun Chakraborty | Hindi |
| 2023 (73rd) | Rekha | Hindi |
| 2022 (72nd) | Asha Parekh | Hindi |
| 2021 (71st) | Rajnikanth | Tamil |
| 2020 (70th) | Asha Parekh | Hindi |
| 2019 (69th) | Rajnikanth | Tamil |
| 2018 (68th) | Amitabh Bachchan | Hindi |
| 2017 (67th) | Vinod Khanna | Hindi |
| 2016 (66th) | Kasinathuni Viswanath | Telugu |
| 2015 (65th) | Manoj Kumar | Hindi |
| 2014 (64th) | Shashi Kapoor | Hindi |
| 2013 (63rd) | Gulzar | Hindi |
| 2012 (62nd) | Pran | Hindi |
| 2011 (61st) | Soumitra Chatterjee | Bengali |
| 2010 (60th) | K. Balachander | Tamil, Telugu |
| 2009 (59th) | D. Ramanaidu | Telugu |
| 2008 (58th) | V. K. Murthy | Hindi |
| 2007 (57th) | Manna Dey | Bengali, Hindi |
| 2006 (56th) | Tapan Sinha | Bengali, Hindi |
| 2005 (55th) | Shyam Benegal | Hindi |
| 2004 (54th) | Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Malayalam |
| 2003 (53rd) | Mrinal Sen | Bengali |
| 2002 (52nd) | Dev Anand | Hindi |
| 2001 (51st) | Yash Chopra | Hindi |
| 2000 (50th) | Asha Bhosle | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1999 (49th) | Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Hindi |
| 1998 (48th) | B. R. Chopra | Hindi |
| 1997 (47th) | Kavi Pradeep | Hindi |
| 1996 (46th) | Sivaji Ganesan | Tamil |
| 1995 (45th) | Rajkumar | Kannada |
| 1994 (44th) | Dilip Kumar | Hindi |
| 1993 (43rd) | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Hindi |
| 1992 (42nd) | Bhupen Hazarika | Assamese |
| 1991 (41st) | Bhalji Pendharkar | Marathi |
| 1990 (40th) | Akkineni Nageswara Rao | Telugu |
| 1989 (39th) | Lata Mangeshkar | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1988 (38th) | Ashok Kumar | Hindi |
| 1987 (37th) | Raj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1986 (36th) | B. Nagi Reddy | Telugu |
| 1985 (35th) | V. Shantaram | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1984 (34th) | Satyajit Ray | Bengali |
| 1983 (33rd) | Durga Khote | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1982 (32nd) | L. V. Prasad | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu |
| 1981 (31st) | Naushad | Hindi |
| 1980 (30th) | Paidi Jairaj | Hindi, Telugu |
| 1979 (29th) | Sohrab Modi | Hindi |
| 1978 (28th) | Raichand Boral | Bengali, Hindi |
| 1977 (27th) | Nitin Bose | Bengali, Hindi |
| 1976 (26th) | Kanan Devi | Bengali |
| 1975 (25th) | Dhirendra Nath Ganguly | Bengali |
| 1974 (24th) | Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy | Telugu |
| 1973 (23rd) | Ruby Myers (Sulochana) | Hindi |
| 1972 (22nd) | Pankaj Mullick | Bengali, Hindi |
| 1971 (21st) | Prithviraj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1970 (20th) | Birendranath Sircar | Bengali |
| 1969 (19th) | Devika Rani | Hindi |
The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards
In addition to the national award, the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards, a separate initiative, celebrate contemporary achievements across film, television, and web series. These awards, held annually in Mumbai, honor a wide range of categories, from Best Actor to Best Web Series, reflecting the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment. For example:
2024 Winners (selected highlights):
- Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan)
- Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
- Best Film: Jawan
- Best Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga (Animal)
- Outstanding Contribution to Film: Moushumi Chatterjee
2023 Winners (selected highlights):
- Best Film: The Kashmir Files
- Film of the Year: RRR
- Best Actor: Ranbir Kapoor
- Best Actress: Alia Bhatt
- Outstanding Contribution to Film: Rekha
2022 Winners (selected highlights):
- Film of the Year: Pushpa: The Rise
- Best Film: Shershaah
- Best Actor: Ranveer Singh (83)
- Best Actress: Kriti Sanon (Mimi)
These awards complement the national Dadasaheb Phalke Award by recognizing both established and emerging talents, ensuring the legacy of Indian cinema continues to thrive.
The Impact of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is more than a recognition—it’s a celebration of Indian cinema’s diversity, creativity, and cultural significance. From Devika Rani’s pioneering work in the silent era to Mohanlal’s modern-day mastery, the award has chronicled the evolution of an industry that captivates billions. It bridges regional cinemas—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, and Assamese—highlighting their unique contributions to India’s cultural tapestry. The award also inspires future generations, setting a benchmark for excellence in storytelling, performance, and technical innovation.
You Learn: The Future of Indian Cinema
As Indian cinema continues to grow, both domestically and globally, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award remains a beacon of excellence. With the rise of digital platforms and international collaborations, future recipients are likely to reflect the industry’s expanding horizons. The award’s legacy, rooted in Dadasaheb Phalke’s vision, will continue to honor those who push boundaries, tell compelling stories, and unite audiences through the universal language of cinema.
(India CSR)
