‘Popularity Is Good, Public Interest Is Better’: President Murmu
President Presents 71st National Film Awards, Honours Mohanlal with Dadasaheb Phalke
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the 71st National Film Awards in New Delhi
- Mohanlal received the 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his distinguished career
- President lauded women-centric films highlighting social change and equality
- Cinema described as a medium for national consciousness and social awareness
- Filmmakers urged to focus on public interest and youth engagement over popularity
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd Sept: President Droupadi Murmu presented the 71st National Film Awards in the capital on Tuesday, honouring winners across multiple categories and conferring the 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke Award on veteran actor Mohanlal.
Congratulating all recipients, the President praised Mohanlal for portraying a wide range of emotions and earning the title of “Complete Actor.” She highlighted the growing recognition of women-centric films, noting stories of mothers shaping values, women defying stereotypes, and voices challenging patriarchy.
The President said Indian cinema reflects the diversity of the world’s largest democracy, thriving in many languages and regions while maintaining a shared national sensibility. She described cinema as a powerful medium for social awareness and urged filmmakers to prioritise the public interest, particularly for the younger generation, over mere popularity.
Murmu encouraged the film fraternity to work toward wider global recognition for Indian cinema.
