President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday has presented the 69th National Film Awards for 2021 and conferred the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award on veteran film artiste Waheeda Rehman for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

The President congratulated the veteran actress and said she had established herself at the pinnacle of the film industry with her art and personality. Even in her personal life, she had made her mark as a woman of dignity, self-confidence and originality.

Waheeda Rehman chose many films in which her roles broke many barriers typically associated with women, the President said. “Waheeda ji has set an example that women themselves should also take initiative for women empowerment,” Mrs Murmu said.

The President said the award ceremony paints a picture of diversity of India and the unity inherent in it. The talented people present at the ceremony had given meaningful expression to many languages, regional characteristics, social beliefs, achievements and problems.

She said people from several generations and classes had come together at the National Film Awards ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan. Calling the film fraternity and artistes change-makers, she said through their films, they pen a lively introduction to the diverse reality of Indian society.

“Cinema is both a document of our society and also a medium to improve it,” she said. The artistes’ work connected people with each other.

Mrs Murmu expressed confidence that in a country rich in talent, people associated with cinema will continue to set new standards of world-class excellence and that films will play an important role in building a developed India.

Among the awardees, Allu Arjun received the Best Actor Award for “Pushpa: The Rise.” Alia Bhatt for “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and Kriti Sanon for “Mimi” shared the Best Actress Award.

Pallavi Joshi got the Best Supporting Actress Award for “Kashmir Files” and Pankaj Tripathi got Best Supporting Actor Award for “Mimi.” “RRR” bagged the award for Best Popular Film providing wholesome entertainment and “The Kashmir Files” directed by Vivek Agnihotri received the Nargis Dutt award for Best Film on National Integration.

“Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” directed by R Madhavan was given the Best Feature Film award for 2021. “Ek Tha Gaon” directed by Srishti Lakhera was given the Best Non-Feature Film award. Shreya Ghoshal bagged the Best Female Playback Singer for the song ‘Mayava Chayava’ from the film ‘Iravin Nizhal’ and Kaala Bhairava won the Best Male Playback Singer for the song ‘Komuram Bheemudo’ from the film ‘RRR’. Prem Rakshith got the Best Choreography award for ‘RRR’.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said in cinema today, nothing is regional, if the content is good; the regional content will find global audience. Speaking about the legend Ms Waheeda Rehman Thakur said that as Indian films transcend international borders, a similar claim to fame is reserved for her. He extended his heartfelt congratulations on her being awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

The Minister said the Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the industry in its efforts to counter movie piracy and it has brought Cinematograph Act which is a big step in curbing this menace.

On the same note, the Minister spoke about the potential of AVGC sector in India and added that the government is going to come out with a policy on that and that will help India realise its potential as ‘content hub of the world’.

Stating that the awards were conferred for 2021, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra said the world was fighting Covid 19 during the year, cinema halls were closed and the industry had to struggle.

“However, we managed a quick come back and now the country and the film industry, both are back on the path of growth and the last quarter has been the best for the film industry of India,” he said.

Chandra said that while box office success is important, the Film Awards celebrate quality. He extended his gratitude to Ms Waheeda Rehman for accepting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.