President Murmu presents National Film Awards at Statue of Unity in historic first outside Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu urged film stars to avoid endorsing products that harm health while presenting the 72nd National Film Awards on Tuesday. For the first time, the ceremony took place outside New Delhi, hosted in Ektanagar, Gujarat, against the backdrop of the 182-metre tall Statue of Unity.

Awards and Winners

Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, accompanied by his wife Gayatri. Actor Yami Gautam and filmmaker Aditya Dhar won Best Feature Film for 'Article 370'. Mammootty won Best Actor for the Malayalam film 'Brahmayugam', while Kartik Aaryan and Dhanush also attended for their films 'Chandu Champion' and 'Raayan'. Other winning works included a film about Veer Savarkar starring Randeep Hooda, the Best Non-Feature Film 'Bhangaar', and the Best Documentary 'Ramnami'. Director Ravi Raj Murmu won for 'Angen', marking the first time a Santali film won an award at the event.

President's Appeal

President Murmu called for greater female representation on award juries, stating that women's perspectives help form a vision for all of humanity. She also asked the film industry to provide social security and respect to grassroots labourers and artists who support the creative economy. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said hosting the event outside Delhi was inspired by the G20, inviting states and union territories to propose tourist spots for future ceremonies. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel invited filmmakers to the state, highlighting the winning Gujarati film 'Maaran' directed by Abhishek Jain. Governor Acharya Devvrat noted that films help people escape stress.