Lal was honoured with the D Litt by Kalady Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit. The chancellor of the University, Governor RS Gawai awarded honorary doctorates to him.
In the citation, Mohanlal was hailed as an excellent performer after actor Sathyan in Malayalam film world, who essayed a rich variety of roles with equal ease and poise.
Mohanlal in his acceptance speech said, he considered the degree a major honour and it will be an inspiration for him while working on the forthcoming Sanskrit drama, Vikramorvasiyam. His first Sanskrit drama was Karnnabhaaram, directed by Kavalam Narayana panicker.