Dadasaheb Phalke Award conferred on Mohanlal
Shah Rukh Khan was honoured for his film Jawan
ANDALIB AKHTER / NEW DELHI
President of India Mrs. Droupadi Murmu presented the 71st National Film Awards across multiple categories at a glittering ceremony here today. She conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023 on veteran actor Mohanlal.
Congratulating all the awardees, the President hailed Mohanlal as the “Complete Actor,” noting his unmatched ability to embody the softest emotions and the harshest realities on screen.
Highlighting the rise of women-centric cinema, President Murmu said that films being recognized this year reflect the struggles and resilience of women against poverty, patriarchy, and prejudice. She appreciated narratives portraying mothers shaping children’s values, women breaking stereotypes, and courageous voices challenging inequality.
Underscoring cinema’s cultural role, she remarked that the world’s largest film industry mirrors the diversity of the world’s largest democracy, much like Indian literature that thrives in many languages. She emphasized that Indian films, rooted in local contexts yet carrying national identity, represent the collective consciousness of the nation.
Calling cinema more than just an industry, the President described it as a powerful medium to raise awareness and nurture sensitivity in society. She urged filmmakers to balance popularity with public interest, particularly for the younger generation, and to strive for greater global acceptance and recognition of Indian cinema.
Speaking on the occasion, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a very clear vision to make India a hub for content creation. He said, products of the country’s content creators are now finding new markets with the help of Waves Bazaar. The Minister said that the first Indian Institute of Creative Technology is now functioning in Mumbai in the National Film Development Corporation campus and seventeen courses have already been started in this institute.
National Film Awards were given in various categories to celebrate excellence in filmmaking, storytelling, and acting.
The Best Feature Film Award was given to the Hindi movie ’12th Fail,’ while the Best Hindi Feature Film Award was presented to ‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery. In the Best Actor category, actor Shah Rukh Khan was honoured for his film Jawan, while actor Vikrant Massey was conferred for 12th Fail. The Best Actress award was given to actress Rani Mukerji for her performance in the film Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway.
Sudipto Sen’s The Kerala Story has been conferred the Best Direction award, and the Hindi film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was given the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Singer Shilpa Rao got the Best Female Playback singer award for the Hindi film Jawan, while in the male category, PVNS Rohit has received the award for the Telugu film Baby. ‘Mau: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw (Mizo)’ received the National Film Award in the Best Non-Feature Film category.