Celebrating the illustrious career of iconic actress Waheeda Rehman, President Droupadi Murmu presented her with the esteemed Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national recognition for contributions to the film industry. During the 69th National Film Awards ceremony at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, the President commended Rehman’s pioneering roles that defied societal norms, emphasizing her pivotal role in breaking barriers for women in the world of cinema.
Praising Rehman’s commitment to using her real name in films, despite the prevalent trend of adopting stage names at the time, President Murmu highlighted her influential stance in advocating for women’s empowerment and leading by example.
In her address, the President emphasized the significance of compassionate and artistic portrayals of female characters in fostering greater sensitivity and respect for women, underscoring the power of cinema in shaping societal perceptions.
The ceremony also witnessed the recognition of various other outstanding talents in the film industry. Notable awardees included Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon, who received the Best Actor (Female) Awards for their exceptional performances in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ and ‘Mimi,’ respectively. Allu Arjun was honored with the Best Actor (Male) Award for his role in ‘Pushpa: The Rise.’
‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,’ a biographical drama based on the life of ISRO scientist Nambi Narayan, earned the coveted Best Feature Film award, while Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ garnered multiple accolades for its screenplay, dialogues, and editing. Pankaj Tripathi and Pallavi Joshi were recognized as the best supporting actors for their roles in ‘Mimi’ and ‘The Kashmir Files,’ respectively.
Additionally, ‘The Kashmir Files’ received the esteemed Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration. The President also commended the film ‘RRR,’ which earned several prestigious awards during the ceremony.
The event was attended by Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Thakur, MoS I&B L Murugan, and other prominent officials, making the evening a celebration of talent and creativity within the Indian film industry.
