Agencies
NEW DELHI: Only 15 of the over 85 recipients of the National Film Awards are women, President Droupadi Murmu noted on Tuesday while presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to veteran star Mithun Chakraborty at the 70th National Film Awards that honoured cinema across the country.
The awards ceremony, the most prestigious in the Indian film industry calendar, celebrated the likes of music composer AR Rahman for best background music, Rishab Shetty who bagged the best actor award, and Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh who shared the best actress honour.
“The total number of award winners today is more than 85, but the number of women award winners is only 15. In most higher-education institutions, the number of girl students receiving awards exceeds that of male students.
“Similar changes should happen in employment and industry also. More efforts can be made by the film industry towards women-led development,” Murmu said at the award function. The president also said films and social media are a great tool to bring a change in society.
“The impact these mediums have on creating awareness among people is not possible through any other medium,” she added.
Chakraborty, who was wearing an arm brace in his right hand, received the award amid loud applause from the spectators who gave him a standing ovation as he walked to the stage along with an aid.
“I have come on this stage once again thanks to your blessings… Nothing was handed to me on a platter, I struggled a lot. But today, after receiving this award, I have stopped complaining. Thank you God, you gave me everything back and with interest,” the 74-year-old, who was wearing a green beret much like Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara, said in his speech.
Malayalam film “Aattam” won the top prize of the best feature film, along with wins in screenplay for director Anand Ekarshi and editing for Mahesh Bhuvanend. Ekarshi said winning three National Awards for his debut movie was special.
