Film industry disappointed as Prez presents National Awards only to 11

Many from the Indian film industry, including winners Kaushik Ganguly, Rima Das, Riddhi Sen and "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion" producer Prasad Devineni expressed their disappointment as President Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Film Awards only to 11 honourees.

In the history of the National Film Awards, it was for the first time that the president attended the second half of the ceremony honouring only a few of the veteran artistes and winners in major categories.

The first set of the awards, which included some technical categories, best supporting actress and best female playback singer, was handed over by Minister of Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani and MoS Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

The president felicitated winners in prominent categories such as the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Vinod Khanna, best actress for Sridevi, best playback singer male for KJ Yesudas, best actor for Sen and AR Rahman in two categories-- best music director and background score.

Das, who won the Best Feature Film award for her critically acclaimed Assamese film "Village Rockstars" told PTI,"It is very sad and unfortunate as we were all expecting to get the award from the president."
Film's actor Sen told PTI, "Everyone is bit upset because we got to know about it at the last moment. I feel it is very unfair as people from across the country are here with their families to receive this award from the president."
"I don't want to comment on this," he told PTI. "The president invited me so I'm here."
Dholakia wrote, "One of the reason the National Film Awards are prestigious is because they are handed by the President and not a minister. This is a moment of a lifetime for Filmmakers. Please don't deprive them of their merit/glory."