The government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the Nandi Award winners for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 on 14 November. The award is known as a state award for honouring the best talents of Telugu cinema. While most of the awards were bagged by Telugu industry members, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal too won an award to his kitty.

Mohanlal won the best supporting actor award for his terrific portrayal of Sathyam, an influential do-gooder who runs a vehicle workshop garage in Janatha garage. Even though his character was promoted as a supporting character, Lalettan owned maximum screen space in the film, especially in the first half. His performance in Janatha Garage was so powerful that the legendary actor won a special jury recognition at the recently concluded National film awards. The award also helped him to equal Prakash Raj's record of top Indian actor with maximum national film awards (5 awards).

Upon its release, Janatha Garage created headlines by becoming the top Telugu grosser of 2016. The action-entertainer also opened the maiden Rs. 100 crore club for Mohanlal and Telugu actor Jr.NTR.

Mohanlal often says there are no language barriers when it comes to acting and the Nandi Telugu recognition proves the same. Earlier, the 58-year old actor had won the IIFA Bollywood supporting actor for his performance in Ram Gopal Varma's 2002 crime thriller hit Company.