The President of India, presents the 69th National Film Awards

Smt Droupadi Murmu, The President of India, presented the 69^th National Film Awards in various categories in New Delhi on October 17, 2023. The President also conferred Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2021 on Ms Waheeda Rehman.

The President, Smt Droupadi Murmu, congratulated Ms Waheeda Rehman for receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award and said that Ms Waheeda has reached the pinnacle of the film industry with her talent and personality. Ms Waheeda has lived her personal life also with dignity, self-confidence and originality. Ms Waheeda chose many such films in which her role broke the barriers associated with women. Ms Waheeda Rehman has set an example that women themselves should take initiative for women empowerment.

The President Smt Droupadi Murmu, noted that Pallavi Joshi, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon, who have received awards for best acting, have played roles of empowered female characters in their films. The President was happy to note that director Srishti Lakhera has depicted the fighting spirit of an 80 year old woman in her award winning film titled ‘Ek Tha Gaon’. The President said that sympathetic and artistic portrayal of female characters would increase sensitivity and respect for women in the society.

The President Smt Droupadi Murmu was happy to note that the films which received awards this year have depicted issues like climate change, girls’ trafficking, oppression of women, corruption and social exploitation. The President also noted that good films have been made on various subjects like tribal communities’ love for nature and art, establishment of the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, fighting with indomitable spirit amidst adversities, transformative power of education and special achievements in the field of art and culture.

The President Smt Droupadi Murmu said that film is not just an industry. film is not limited to merely business and entertainment. Films are the most effective medium to spread awareness and sensitivity in our society. Meaningful films are depict the achievements as well as the problems of the society and the country.

The President Smt Droupadi Murmu said that the Cinema fraternity gives us a vivid introduction to the diverse reality of Indian society through their films. films is both a document of our society and a medium to improve it. The President Smt Droupadi said that the cinema artists are change agents. The President added that they provide information about the country and connect citizens.

The President Smt Droupadi Murmu said that Indian films should be the carrier of the country’s social diversity and rich cultural heritage. Indian films would not only be beneficial for the country and society, but would also be commercially successful. The President urged the film fraternity to do this experiment with greater resolve.

The President Smt Droupadi Murmuappreciated all the people associated with the award winning films of the 69^th National Film Awards for making impressive contributions to society and cinema. The President Smt Droupadi Murmu expressed confidence that the film fraternity would continue to set new standards of global level excellence and Indian films would play an important role in building a developed India.