President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, called for greater respect and social security for workers, small artists, and assistants in the film industry, while urging popular film personalities to refrain from endorsing substances harmful to health. She made these remarks while addressing the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat — the first time the event has been held outside Delhi.

A Plea for Dignity in the Creative Economy

Murmu stressed that those who struggle and contribute behind the scenes of India's creative economy deserve both recognition and a social safety net. 'You should ensure that the workers, small artists, assistants and people who are struggling and contributing to this economy receive respect as well as social security,' she said.

Notably, the President disclosed that she had raised the same concern at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony, signalling that the issue remains unaddressed. 'I had requested that showing respect and sensitivity towards all members of the entire team should become part of the work culture of the film industry,' she reiterated, framing it as an industry-wide cultural imperative rather than an isolated appeal.

Women's Representation in Regional Juries

Murmu turned to gender representation in the awards process, calling for greater participation of women in regional film award juries. She observed that many of the artists being honoured at the ceremony were women, and argued that women's perspectives are essential to developing a comprehensive human outlook. 'I would like to see women's participation ensured in every regional jury,' she said.

Stars as Role Models: The Responsibility of Influence

Addressing the weight that celebrity carries in India, Murmu acknowledged that successful film personalities possess an 'immense ability' to influence audiences — especially children and young people. She said when popular actors champion a disciplined lifestyle, their message reaches crores of followers.

The President used this moment to issue a pointed appeal against harmful endorsements. 'I would like to request that popular artists should not endorse substances that are harmful to health. A star spreads light, not darkness,' she said. The remarks, while directed at the film fraternity, resonate in a broader national conversation about celebrity accountability in advertising.

72nd National Film Awards: A Historic Venue Shift

The 72nd National Film Awards, which recognise films certified during 2024, covered honours across feature films, non-feature films, and writing on cinema. The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954. This year's ceremony at Ekta Nagar is part of the government's stated intention to take the event beyond the capital, with future editions planned across different states and cities.

Murmu praised jury members for selecting films dealing with important social and national issues and noted that cinema from diverse languages and regions reflects India's cultural plurality. She expressed confidence that the quality of films being produced in India would meet world-class standards in the years ahead.

She also asked award winners to convey her appreciation to every member of their teams, reinforcing her central message that filmmaking is an irreducibly collective endeavour.

With the government signalling a decentralised future for the National Film Awards, the focus now shifts to whether the film industry will act on the President's repeated calls for stronger workplace protections and more responsible celebrity conduct.