President Murmu Calls On Film Stars To Use Their Influence Responsibly

MUMBAI-President Droupadi Murmu has urged India’s leading film stars to refrain from endorsing products that could adversely affect people’s health, while calling for greater representation of women in National Film Awards juries and better social security for workers at the lower rungs of the creative economy.

Murmu made the appeal on September 22 while conferring the 72nd National Film Awards at a ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat.

“Film artistes, who are extremely popular, have the huge power to influence the people of the country, especially the youth. When popular film stars talk about the importance of a disciplined lifestyle, people sit up and take notice. The people follow them. I would like to request the biggest stars of India to refrain from endorsing anything that may prove to be harmful to the body. The job of a star is to spread light,” she said.

The President also called for greater representation of women in the jury panels that decide the National Awards, noting that a majority of the artistes honored at the ceremony were women.

“A majority of artistes honored today include women. Hence, the jury panel should also include women in the decision-making. It’s imperative to accommodate the perspective of a woman in every aspect of life,” she said.

Murmu further urged senior members of the creative industry to be more sensitive towards laborers, small artistes, assistants and struggling professionals who contribute to the sector.

“You are all the representatives of the creative economy. I would request all of you to take care of laborers, small artistes, assistants, and even strugglers who make a huge chunk of the creative economy so that they get social security and respect,” she said.

“During the previous National Award ceremony, I had requested that even the members at the lower rung of the creative economy should be respected and this should become a part of the work culture of the creative economy,” she added.

The ceremony also saw Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty receive a standing ovation as he collected the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Rahul Sadasivan’s period horror film ‘Bramayugam’. He shared the honor with Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, who was recognized for his performance as Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar in the sports biopic ‘Chandu Champion’.

Mammootty, whose career spans more than four decades, has previously won three National Film Awards for Best Actor and has worked across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English-language cinema. The Government of India also awarded him the Padma Bhushan in 2026 for his contribution to the arts.

Set in 17th-century Kerala, ‘Bramayugam’ follows a young folk singer who seeks shelter at an isolated mansion and becomes trapped in a sinister world controlled by the enigmatic Kodumon Potti, played by Mammootty. Shot entirely in black and white, the film draws on Kerala folklore, mythology and themes of power, caste and exploitation.

Aaryan, reacting to the honor on Instagram, looked back on his journey from Gwalior and expressed gratitude to director Kabir Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala for trusting him with the role of Petkar.

He said he wanted to share the honor with every Paralympian in the country and with those who dare to pursue seemingly impossible dreams.

Yami Gautam Dhar was named Best Actress for her performance in ‘Article 370’, which also won the National Award for Best Feature Film. The film presents the events surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

Speaking after the ceremony, she said the honor was a matter of pride for anyone who had worked hard to pursue a career in cinema, particularly those who come to cities with dreams of becoming artistes.

“I am still trying to soak in this moment. It’s a great matter of pride for any artiste who has worked all their life, and I say this on the behalf of all those people who come with the lord of dreams to the city. You don’t know what life has planned for you. All you could do is do your work with honesty, and one day you will reach your destination,” she said.

Gautam Dhar also welcomed the decision to hold the National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia rather than the national capital, saying artistes from across the country had come together under one roof, reflecting India’s diverse traditions and cultures and the significance of the Statue of Unity.

The 72nd National Film Awards recognized Indian cinema from 2024. (IANS)