President Murmu Presents 72nd National Film Awards, Honours Anant Nag with Phalke Award

President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at a ceremony held at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026. At the same event, she conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 on veteran actor Anant Nag, recognising his contribution to Indian cinema.

Speaking at the function, the President congratulated the award winners, noting that their talent and hard work had earned them national recognition. She welcomed the honour for Anant Nag, describing his performances as a blend of the finest elements of theatre and cinema. His natural, restrained and authentic style, she said, sets an example for future generations of artists.

The President observed that India's image is reflected in films made across languages and regions, and that Indian cinema carries the dreams, traditions and struggles of the people along with possibilities for the future. She noted that the ceremony was being held on the premises of the Statue of Unity, near the Wall of Unity, and said the setting seemed to evoke the presence of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of India's unity, as though he were blessing a festival of the country's cultural unity.

Appreciating the award-winning films, she said 'Article 370' offers a vivid account of the serious challenges to national unity and their solutions. The non-feature film 'Bhangaar', she said, expresses unseen dimensions of life and death, meaning and meaninglessness. 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' was described as an artistic tribute to the extraordinary life of Veer Savarkar, while 'Bhakshak' raises societal awareness about women's safety. The national recognition of the Santhali film 'Angen', she added, has encouraged an outstanding work and fostered cultural diversity and social inclusion.

The President commended the jury for selecting films that address significant issues concerning society and the nation, and said women's participation should be ensured in every regional jury. A holistic human perspective, she underlined, can be formed by incorporating the viewpoint of women.

She also said that respect and sensitivity towards every team member should be an integral part of the film industry's work culture, and urged key representatives of the creative economy to ensure that workers, small-scale artists, assistants and strugglers receive due respect and social security. Noting the influence of popular film artists, especially on the young, she said that when successful artists speak about the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle, millions of children and young people follow. She urged celebrities not to endorse products harmful to health, adding that a true star spreads light, not darkness.