The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, today bestowed National Film Awards in several categories for the year 2021 during the 69th edition of the ceremony in New Delhi.Ms Waheeda Rehman received the renowned Dada Saheb Phalke Award on the occasion.Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Dr. L. Murugan, Secretary, Ministry of I&B, Shri Apurva Chandra, Jury Chairpersons, and other dignitaries attended the occasion.
President Smt Droupadi Murmu praised Ms Waheeda Rehman, saying that her talent and personality had positioned her at the summit of the cinema business.Even in her personal life, she had distinguished herself as a lady of dignity, self-assurance, and individuality.She picked various films in which her parts defied many stereotypes about women.Waheeda ji has demonstrated that women should take the effort to empower themselves.
Speaking on the National Film Awards, the President stated that the ceremony symbolises India's diversity as well as its innate unity.She went on to say that the brilliant people in attendance had given significant expression to different languages, regional peculiarities, societal ideas, successes, and difficulties, and that the National Film Awards brought people from all generations and classes together.She referred to the film industry and artists as "change-makers," claiming that their films provide a vivid introduction to the various reality of Indian culture.She went on to say that cinema was both a record of our society and a tool for change, and that their work brought people together.
Smt Murmu expressed optimism that, in a country brimming with talent, those affiliated with cinema will continue to set new standards of world-class brilliance, and that films will play a significant part in the development of India.Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur expressed his satisfaction in the Indian film industry, stating that nothing is regional anymore, and that if the material is strong, regional content would find a worldwide audience.When it comes to Ms Waheeda Rehman, she is a legend.Shri Thakur stated that because Indian films transcend international borders, she has a comparable claim to fame.He expressed his deepest congrats on her Dadasaheb Phalke Award win.
The Minister told the audience that the government stands shoulder to shoulder with the sector in its efforts to combat movie piracy, and that the Cinematograph Act is a significant step towards combating this problem.On the same topic, the Minister mentioned the potential of the AVGC sector in India and stated that the government will issue a strategy to enable India fulfil its potential as the "content hub of the world."
Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra stated that the awards were given out for the year 2021, noting that it was the year of COVID19, when the movie halls were shuttered and the industry was struggling.However, we swiftly recovered, and the country and the film business are both back on track for development, with the latest quarter being the best for India's film industry.While box office success is vital, he says, the Film Awards honour excellence.Shri Chandra thanked Ms Waheeda Rehman for accepting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.