National Film Awards breaks with 64-year-old tradition

new delhi — The 65th National Film Awards ceremony was a departure from its tradition of the Indian President handing over the awards to all the winners. Many “hurt” recipients even skipped the ceremony here on Thursday as President Ram Nath Kovind had time to present only 11 out of 125 awards.

Vigyan Bhawan was buzzing with artistes who looked excited about getting recognition from the government for their work in movies. But there were some winners whose name plates were placed facing down as they were not at the venue. Praveen Morchhale, the director of Walking With the Wind, which won three National Awards including Best Film (Ladakhi) this year, was among those 60 recipients who chose to give the ceremony a miss.

“The decision was not taken by

Getting an award from the President of the country is a special moment. But at the same time, these changes keep happening. I don’t think we should belittle the awards. Prasoon Joshi, CBFC chief

one person. It happened last night. During rehearsal, it was announced that the ceremony would be done in two parts. All were shocked,” Morchhale said here. “Our problem is that they chose to tell us in the last minute. Even the invitation says the President would be honouring us. Suddenly they said only 11 will be given,” he added. “Our protest is not against who is getting the award from the President. It is against discrimination. Everybody should be given by the President or the ministers. Discrimination is very humiliating. It is very hurting to us. It’s like artistes have been categorised into A and B,” said the director.

The President handed over the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Nargis Dutt Award for Feature Films on National Integration, Best Book on Cinema, Best Direction (nonfeature film), Best Jasari Film, Best Male Playback Singer, Best Music Direction (songs and background music), Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Direction (feature film), Best Feature Film and Best Editing.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore gave rest of the awards to winners. —

AP President Ram Nath Kovind confers the Best Actress award posthumously on Sridevi, received by her husband Boney Kapoor and daughters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor at the National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi on Thursday. Union Minister...