Malayalam superstar Mohanlal just added another proud moment to his long list of honours. Fresh off being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honour, the actor met the Chief of Army Staff in New Delhi — not as a celebrity, but as Lieutenant Colonel Mohanlal of the Territorial Army. The meeting was filled with warmth, recognition, and a shared passion for service beyond the screen.
In an interview with ANI, Mohanlal expressed deep gratitude after the meeting, calling it “a great recognition and so much honour” to receive commendation from the Army Chief. He revealed that they even shared a small lunch and spoke about ways to improve efficiency within the Territorial Army battalion. “It’s a great gesture from the fraternity,” the actor said, adding that he has proudly been part of it for the last 16 years.
Mohanlal's association with the Indian Army
Mohanlal’s association with the Indian Army isn’t new. Back in 2008, while filming Kurukshetra — where he portrayed an Army officer — he developed a genuine interest in joining the Territorial Army. Although he couldn’t apply through the regular route due to age restrictions, his passion didn’t go unnoticed. On July 9, 2008, he was formally inducted as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel by then Army Chief Deepak Kapoor, making him the first Indian actor to receive such an honour.
Over the years, Mohanlal has balanced cinematic excellence with national pride. From receiving the Padma Shri in 2001 to the Padma Bhushan in 2019, he has consistently been recognised for his contribution to Indian cinema. His latest milestone, the 2025 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, cements his legacy as not just a Malayalam icon but a true Indian legend — one who bridges art, discipline, and patriotism with effortless grace.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the actor also holds an honorary black belt in Taekwondo from South Korea’s Kukkiwon, making him the first South Indian actor to earn that distinction.
In an interview with ANI, Mohanlal expressed deep gratitude after the meeting, calling it “a great recognition and so much honour” to receive commendation from the Army Chief. He revealed that they even shared a small lunch and spoke about ways to improve efficiency within the Territorial Army battalion. “It’s a great gesture from the fraternity,” the actor said, adding that he has proudly been part of it for the last 16 years.
Mohanlal's association with the Indian Army
Mohanlal’s association with the Indian Army isn’t new. Back in 2008, while filming Kurukshetra — where he portrayed an Army officer — he developed a genuine interest in joining the Territorial Army. Although he couldn’t apply through the regular route due to age restrictions, his passion didn’t go unnoticed. On July 9, 2008, he was formally inducted as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel by then Army Chief Deepak Kapoor, making him the first Indian actor to receive such an honour.
Over the years, Mohanlal has balanced cinematic excellence with national pride. From receiving the Padma Shri in 2001 to the Padma Bhushan in 2019, he has consistently been recognised for his contribution to Indian cinema. His latest milestone, the 2025 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, cements his legacy as not just a Malayalam icon but a true Indian legend — one who bridges art, discipline, and patriotism with effortless grace.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the actor also holds an honorary black belt in Taekwondo from South Korea’s Kukkiwon, making him the first South Indian actor to earn that distinction.
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