The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is regarded as the highest honour in Indian Cinema, given to individuals whose lifelong work has left a lasting impact on the film industry. The award was instituted by the Government of India in 1969 to commemorate the birth centenary of Dadasahed Phalke, widely known as the Father of Indian Cinema. Named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the pioneer who made India’s first full length featured film Raja Harishchandra in 1913, the award celebrates dedication, creativity, and contribution to Indian films.
From its beginning in 1969 to 2023, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award has completed 55 years, honoring some of the most respected names in Indian cinema whose work continues to influence generations.
A Glimpse into the History of Indian Cinema
Indian cinema has a rich and fascinating history spanning over a century. It began with silent films and gradually transformed into the colorful, diverse industry we know today. Beyond entertainment, Indian films reflect the culture, traditions, and social changes of the country. Great actors, directors, and musicians have shaped its journey, creating stories that resonate not only in India but across the world. Cinema has become a vital part of our culture, connecting generations through imagination, emotion, and art.
Why the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Is Special
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is special because it celebrates a person’s entire journey in Indian cinema, not just one successful film or role. It is given to artists and filmmakers who have spent their whole lives working in films, facing ups and downs, and still leaving a strong mark on the industry. This award is a way of saying thank you for their years of dedication, passion, and hard work. It reflects the respect and love they have earned from audiences and the inspiration they continue to give to future generations.
Mohanlal Receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 for Lifetime Achievement
Legendary actor Mohanlal has been awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023. The official ceremony was held on September 23, 2025, during the 71st National Film Awards. This award is the highest honor in Indian Cinema and recognizes his outstanding contribution to films over nearly five decades.
The Ministry of information and Broadcasting praised Mohanlal for his talent, hard work, and versatility. Over his career, he has acted in more than 360 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, inspiring generations of actors and audiences alike.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on social media, calling him a symbol of excellence in Malayalam cinema and theatre. He also appreciated Mohanlal’s dedication to Kerala’s culture and his remarkable impact on Indian cinema.
List of all recipients of the Dadasaheb Phalke Awards (1969-2023)
Take a look at the list below to know more about the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winners and their outstanding contributions to Indian cinema over the years.
| Year (Ceremony) | Recipient | Film Industry |
| 1969 (17th NFA) | Devika Rani | Hindi |
| 1970 (18th NFA) | Birendranath Sircar | Bengali |
| 1971 (19th NFA) | Prithviraj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1972 (20th NFA) | Pankaj Mullick |
|
| 1973 (21st NFA) | Ruby Myers (Sulochana) | Hindi |
| 1974 (22nd NFA) | B. N. Reddy | Telugu |
| 1975 (23rd NFA) | Dhirendra Nath Ganguly | Bengali |
| 1976 (24th NFA) | Kanan Devi | Bengali |
| 1977 (25th NFA) | Nitin Bose |
|
| 1978 (26th NFA) | Raichand Boral |
|
| 1979 (27th NFA) | Sohrab Modi | Hindi |
| 1980 (28th NFA) | Paidi Jairaj | Hindi |
| 1981 (29th NFA) | Naushad | Hindi |
| 1982 (30th NFA) | L. V. Prasad |
|
| 1983 (31st NFA) | Durga Khote |
|
| 1984 (32nd NFA) | Satyajit Ray | Bengali |
| 1985 (33rd NFA) | V. Shantaram |
|
| 1986 (34th NFA) | B. Nagi Reddy | Telugu |
| 1987 (35th NFA) | Raj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1988 (36th NFA) | Ashok Kumar | Hindi |
| 1989 (37th NFA) | Lata Mangeshkar |
|
| 1990 (38th NFA) | Akkineni Nageswara Rao | Telugu |
| 1991 (39th NFA) | Bhalji Pendharkar | Marathi |
| 1992 (40th NFA) | Bhupen Hazarika | Assamese |
| 1993 (41st NFA) | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Hindi |
| 1994 (42nd NFA) | Dilip Kumar | Hindi |
| 1995 (43rd NFA) | Rajkumar | Kannada |
| 1996 (44th NFA) | Sivaji Ganesan | Tamil |
| 1997 (45th NFA) | Kavi Pradeep | Hindi |
| 1998 (46th NFA) | B. R. Chopra | Hindi |
| 1999 (47th NFA) | Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Hindi |
| 2000 (48th NFA) | Asha Bhosle |
|
| 2001 (49th NFA) | Yash Chopra | Hindi |
| 2002 (50th NFA) | Dev Anand | Hindi |
| 2003 (51st NFA) | Mrinal Sen |
|
| 2004 (52nd NFA) | Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Malayalam |
| 2005 (53rd NFA) | Shyam Benegal | Hindi |
| 2006 (54th NFA) | Tapan Sinha |
|
| 2007 (55th NFA) | Manna Dey |
|
| 2008 (56th NFA) | V. K. Murthy | Hindi |
| 2009 (57th NFA) | D. Ramanaidu | Telugu |
| 2010 (58th NFA) | K. Balachander | Tamil |
| 2011 (59th NFA) | Soumitra Chatterjee | Bengali |
| 2012 (60th NFA) | Pran | Hindi |
| 2013 (61st NFA) | Gulzar | Hindi |
| 2014 (62nd NFA) | Shashi Kapoor | Hindi |
| 2015 (63rd NFA) | Manoj Kumar | Hindi |
| 2016 (64th NFA) | K. Viswanath | Telugu |
| 2017 (65th NFA) | Vinod Khanna | Hindi |
| 2018 (66th NFA) | Amitabh Bachchan | Hindi |
| 2019 (67th NFA) | Rajinikanth | Tamil |
| 2020 (68th NFA) | Asha Parekh | Hindi |
| 2021 (69th NFA) | Waheeda Rehman | Hindi |
| 2022 (70th NFA) | Mithun Chakraborty |
|
| 2023 (71st NFA) | Mohanlal | Malayalam |
This list pays tribute to the legends who gave their lives to Indian cinema and helped it grow over the years. Their work inspired audiences across generations and reached people through many languages and film industries. The latest honour, announced for the year 2023, continues this tradition of recognizing individuals whose dedication, hard work, and love for cinema have left a lasting mark on Indian films.
Celebrating a Legacy: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest honor in cinema, given to people who have devoted their lives to films and left a lasting mark. Started in 1969 and named after the father of Indian cinema, it recognizes lifetime achievement rather than a single performance.
The award has honored actors, directors, producers, and technicians who have shaped Indian cinema across different languages and generations. It is presented at the National Film Awards and includes a Golden Lotus, a cash prize, and a ceremonial shawl.
From Devika Rani, the first recipient, to Mohanlal in 2023, the award celebrates talent, dedication, and the enduring magic of Indian films, inspiring future generations.
People are also reading:
