The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the 71st National Film Awards in various categories in New Delhi today (September 23, 2025). She also conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023 on Shri Mohanlal.
Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated all the award winners, as well as Shri Mohanlal, who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. She said that Mohanlal Ji has effortlessly portrayed the softest of the soft and the harshest of the harsh emotions, creating an image of the Complete Actor.
The President was happy to note that women-centric good films are being made and getting awards, too. She said that we all see that women struggle to some extent with poverty, patriarchy, or prejudice.
She noted that the films awarded today include stories of mothers shaping the morals of their children, women uniting to confront social stereotypes, the plight of women amidst the complexities of home, family, and social order, and stories of courageous women who raise their voices against the inequalities of patriarchy.
She appreciated such sensitive filmmakers. The President said that the world's largest film industry represents the world's largest democracy and most diverse society through its most influential and popular art form.
She was happy to note that everyone associated with cinema has an Indian consciousness, an Indian sensibility that connects all local contexts. Just as Indian literature is created in many languages, Indian cinema is developing in many languages, dialects, regions, and local environments.
She said that our films are both local and national. The President emphasized that cinema is not just an industry; it is also a powerful medium for raising awareness in society and the nation and making citizens more sensitive.
She said that popularity may be a good thing for a film, but being in the public interest, especially for the younger generation, is even better. She urged all those associated with the film industry to make efforts to ensure that Indian films get greater acceptance, their popularity increases and they get recognition at the global level.