‘Feel Insulted’: Recipients of National Film Awards Slam Prez Snub

Recipients of the awards were told on Wednesday that the President would be presenting only 11 awards at the event.

Smriti Irani and President Ram Nath Kovind. 

(Photo: PTI/IANS/Altered by The Quint)

Several artistes came out strongly against President Ram Nath Kovind as well as the I&B Ministry just hours before the National Film Awards ceremony on Thursday, 3 May, a day after they were informed that the President would be presenting only 11 awards at the event.

In a letter written to Chaitanya Prasad, Additional Director General, Directorate of Film Festival, along with the President’s office and the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, more than 70 recipients of the award said they were “disheartened” and “disappointed” with the development.

It is only a day before the ceremony that we have learnt through Chaitanya Prasad that a large segment of the Awards will not be presented by the President of India. It feels like a breach of trust when an institution/ceremony that abides by extreme protocol fails to inform us of such a vital aspect of the ceremony with a prior notice. It seems unfortunate that 65 years of tradition are being overturned in a jiffy.

Recipients of National Film Awards, in a letter

Producer RC Suresh, while saying that receiving an award from the President of India would have been a dream, expressed his “thorough disappointment” at the development.

We were told by the I&B Minister that it was according to the protocol. But we couldn’t digest that fact. Because if it is protocol, then you should have told your Additional Director General to write accordingly. Then we would not have been in this position today. I would not have even come. 

RC Suresh, Producer

Director and producer Teenaa Kaur, who has got an award for her documentary 1984 - When the Sun Didn't Rise, was also miffed that the recipients were not informed in advance about new protocol.

We are angry because the tradition was not followed and we were given invites using the President’s name. We would have been honoured if we were to receive the award from the President.

Teenaa Kaur, Producer and Director, to <b>The Quint</b>

Traditionally, all the awards are presented by the President of India. However, this year, the President had only an hour to spare for the ceremony.

Among others who expressed dissatisfaction regarding the move was National Award winning Marathi film director Prasad Oak who said that it made them "feel insulted".

Indrani Chakraborty, the winner in the Best Exploration/Adventure Film category for Ladakh Chale Rickshawala said that the fraternity was "not against the jury's decision, but against the way the ceremony was being conducted."

Director NR Nanjunde Gowda, whose film Hebbettu Ramakka was named best Kannada film, said this was breaking convention.

We all represent different parts of the country and it is an honour that we receive (our awards) at the hands of the President. They are not called the President’s National Awards for no reason. If not the President, then at least the Vice President should give away the remaining awards, not the ministers.

NR Nanjunde Gowda to PTI

Newton producer Manish Mundra, whose film has won the National Award for best Hindi film, also expressed his disappointment on Twitter.

However, a few of the recipients who had signed the letter were seen attending the awards ceremony eventually.

The function, held at Vigyan Bhavan, was organised in two phases this year. The first set of awards were conferred by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and the Minister of State Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore from 4 pm. The second set was presented by the President from 5:30 pm.

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