Murmu urges film stars not to endorse harmful health products, calls for women on award juries
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday urged popular film artists not to endorse products harmful to people's health, saying celebrities have a powerful influence on young minds and a “true star” should spread “light, not darkness”.
Addressing the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), near the Statue of Unity, Murmu said successful artists could encourage millions of children and young people to adopt a disciplined lifestyle through their words and actions.
"When successful artists speak about the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle, millions of children and young people emulate them. I urge popular artists not to endorse products that are harmful to people's health. A true star is the one who spreads light, not darkness," she said.
The President also called for greater representation of women on the juries that select films for the National Film Awards, saying every regional jury should have women's participation.
"I would like to see women's participation ensured in every regional jury," she said, noting that several women had received awards at the ceremony.
Murmu said including women's perspectives in decision-making was important for developing a broader outlook.
"Incorporating the female perspective in any field makes it possible to form a holistic human outlook," she said.
She also appealed to the film industry to ensure dignity and social security for workers, small-scale artists, assistants and others contributing to the creative economy.
"Please ensure that the workers, small-scale artists, assistants, and those struggling to make their mark, who contribute to this economy, receive both respect and social security," Murmu said.
The President recalled that at the previous National Film Awards ceremony, she had urged the industry to make respect and sensitivity towards every member of a film crew an integral part of its work culture.
"I hope you are paying heed to these requests," she said.
Describing popular film artists as influential representatives of the creative economy, Murmu said they had immense potential to shape public attitudes, particularly among the youth.
She also praised the quality of films being produced in India and said it strengthened her belief that Indian cinema could set world-class benchmarks.
"Learning about the quality films being produced in the country strengthens my conviction that our films will set world-class benchmarks for quality. I wish you all and the film industry a golden future," she said.
At the ceremony, veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema.
Yami Gautam, Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan were among the recipients of acting honours, while Hindi feature film 'Article 370', directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, won the Best Feature Film award.
