In Nepal, like much of South Asia, the craze for Hindi, South Indian and Telugu blockbusters runs deep. Big names, big action, big heroes the screen is filled with spectacle. Yet, ask fans what their favorite superstar’s character was called, and most will struggle. We remember the actor, not the role.

But Mohanlal is different.

Here is a man whose characters live beyond the posters, beyond the credits. Mention George kutty, and instantly Drishyam comes alive. Say “Ramesan Nair,” and the heartbreak of Thanmathra returns. Whisper “Kunjikuttan,” and the haunting brilliance of Vanaprastham floods back. His performances are stitched so deeply into the roles that we recall the character as if he were someone we personally knew.

That is Mohanlal’s rare gift. He doesn’t just play roles. He vanishes into them. At 65, crowned with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, he stands as one of Indian cinema’s greatest magicians, turning ordinary men into eternal icons.

And just two days after the honour was announced, the cameras rolled again. This time for Drishyam 3. Director Jeethu Joseph summed it up best: “I have never really considered Drishyam a thriller. I consider it a family drama. It was the story of two families, and now it is mainly about George kutty’s family, their emotional struggles, the after-effects and the drama in their lives. That is what this film is about, only with a crime at its centre.”

Meanwhile, Mohanlal will formally receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on September 23 in New Delhi, during the 71st National Film Awards. The ceremony will mark not just a milestone for the actor, but for Malayalam cinema itself. He is only the second Malayali ever to be honoured, after the legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

Producer Antony Perumbavoor put it simply: “It’s doubly sweet. When I called him, I said, ‘We’re all proud of you.’ Because he has contributed not only to cinema but also to society and culture. He is truly a deserving person to receive that award.”

While most stars leave us cheering for the name on the poster, Mohanlal leaves us remembering the name on the script. That’s why his legacy cuts across borders, languages, and generations. His characters aren’t just watched; they are remembered. And that, in a world of fleeting fandom, is true immortality.

(Information for this article has been taken from The New Indian Express, published on September 28, 2025.)