FILMS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEDIUM TO SPREAD AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY : PRESIDENT MURMU
Prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Life Time Achievement Award was presented to eminent veteran actress Waheeda Rehman by President Draupadi Murmu
17 OCT 2023
The President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu presented the 69th National Film Awards in various categories in New Delhi today (October 17, 2023).
She also conferred Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2021 on Ms Waheeda Rehman.
Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated Ms Waheeda Rehman for receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award and said that she has reached the pinnacle of the film industry with her talent and personality. She has lived her personal life also with dignity, self-confidence and originality. She chose many such films in which her role broke the barriers associated with women. She has set an example that women themselves should take initiative for women empowerment. Kindly recall that legendary actor Waheeda Rehman acted in 90 feature films during her Chequered film career of more than five decades with several of her movies going super duper hits. The extremely popular and nationally acclaimed film PYASA heroine Waheeda Rehman was literary in tears while receiving this prestigious, award after Asha Parekh her contemporary iconic actress.
The President 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.
She 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’.
She said that sympathetic and artistic portrayal of female characters would increase sensitivity and respect for women in the society.
The President 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.
She 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 said that film is not just an industry. It is not limited to merely business and entertainment. Films are the most effective medium to spread awareness and sensitivity. Meaningful films depict the achievements as well as the problems of the society and the country.
The President said that the film fraternity gives us a vivid introduction to the diverse reality of Indian society through their films. Cinema is both a document of our society and a medium to improve it. She said that the cinema artists are change agents. She added that they provide information about the country and connect citizens.
The President said that Indian films should be the carrier of the country’s social diversity and rich cultural heritage. Such films would not only be beneficial for the country and society, but would also be commercially successful. She urged the film fraternity to do this experiment with greater resolve.
The President appreciated all the people associated with the award winning films of the 69th National Film Awards for making impressive contributions to society and cinema. She 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.
The union information and Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur also graced the occasion by his pivotal presence a posed for photograph with the president Draupadi Murmu and the recipient of the film Fare awards presented by her to all the eminent personalities of the Indian Film Industry including iconic Waheeda Rehman and four other actresses. Popular actor Ranbeer Kapoor was also present on this occasion having accompanied his, wife actress Alia Bhatt who too was one of the awardees.
