At the 72nd National Film Awards, held for the first time outside Delhi — in Ekta Nagar, against the backdrop of the 182-metre Statue of Unity — President Droupadi Murmu gave cinema its moral script.
Addressing the glittering hall, she told film stars: "Star wahi hai jo roshni deta phailaay" — a star is one that gives and spreads light. Therefore, she appealed, "do not endorse substances that are harmful to health."
The message was pointed. In an industry where top actors are the faces of tobacco, alcohol surrogates and pan masala, the President reframed stardom as responsibility. She also called for more women on juries, noting that many women were awarded this year and "when the perspective of women is included does it create a vision for entire humanity."
The awards themselves reflected a changing map. Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Yami Gautam won Best Leading Actress for Article 370, Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared Best Leading Actor for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion respectively.
Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw used the occasion to announce a new G20-inspired model: future National Film Awards will travel across states to promote tourism. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel invited filmmakers to shoot in Gujarat.
For one night, it was a starry night. The President's reminder was that light should not come with a warning label.