Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) expressed a unique perspective after actor Mohanlal was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is India’s highest honor in cinema. RGV suggested that Mohanlal’s contributions are so great that instead of the award being named after Dadasaheb Phalke to honor Mohanlal, perhaps it should be the other way around—that Phalke himself be honored with a “Mohanlal Award.”
RGV wrote on social media that while he does not claim to know much about Dadasaheb Phalke, he has seen Mohanlal’s work, admires his craft, and believes the veteran actor represents greatness comparable even to cinema’s earliest pioneers.
He argued that greatness should not be reserved strictly for those who are no longer living. According to him, many living artists surpass the accomplishments of past legends, and institutions should recognize this by perhaps creating awards named after those still contributing to cinema, so the distinction between the living and the gone does not lead to discrimination.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was established in 1969 to honor the legacy of the father of Indian cinema. Over time, many legendary artists have received it. This year, Mohanlal became the 55th recipient, joining the company of past greats.
