Why National Film Awards hit controversy over President Kovind's schedule
Neither should it prioritise some recipients over others
The National Film Awards ceremony is an annual event to recognise the best works in the field of Indian cinema. It should not give the short shrift to regional movies. Nor should it prioritise some recipients over others.
When the 65th National Film Awards were declared on April 13, they were praised for breaking many barriers. Assamese film Village Rockstars was chosen as the best feature film, Marathi movie Dhappa was adjudged the recipient of Nargis Dutt Award for Feature Films on National Integration.
But the event could not maintain its sanctity when a number of awardees decided to boycott the ceremony for they were told at the last moment that they won’t be receiving the award from President Ram Nath Kovind. On May 2, a day before the event, they were told that the president would attend the event only for some time and present the awards to only 11 recipients. Getting a national award from ministers should not take away from the glory of the prestigious honour. But the unprecedented situation raises a few questions.
First-time departure in 65 years
According to reports, the National Film Awards are always presented to the recipients by the president. In a marked departure from the tradition, information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani and minister of state (I&B) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore gave away the awards.
The boycott of the event raises the pertinent question of whether the involvement of the ministers, instead of the president, imposes a political character on the event.
one of the reason the National Film Awards are prestigious is because they are handed by the @rashtrapatibhvn -not a minister. This is a moment of a lifetime for Film makers ; please don’t deprive them of their merit / glory #NationalFilmAwards @smritiirani @Ra_THORe
— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) 3 May 2018
The Indian Film Industry should come out in open and take a stand against the humilation of National Film Awardees who are going to skip the award ceremony today. Dark day in the history of #NationalFilmAwards
— ashwini chaudhary (@DhoopAshwini) 3 May 2018
Was there a communication gap?
The information that the president will be presenting only a few awards was news to many recipients when they were rehearsing for the event on Thursday. “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,” the protesting artists wrote in a letter to the Directorate of Film Festival.
“The National Film Awards unlike other Award ceremony has been considered as the most pristine and unbiased. We request that the dignity and eminence of this award is maintained and that there is no display of hierarchy at the event, we are disappointed to know that the hon’ble President will be presenting the Awards to just 11 awardees and not the remaining of about 120 of us,” the letter said.
With more than 60 winners to skip the National #NationalAwards ceremony after president Ram Nath Kovind to present only 11 awards this year after most of the awards would be handed out.However,they clarified it doesnt mean refusing the awards.#NationalFilmAwards pic.twitter.com/Z2TxjZsffF
— Geetika Swami (@SwamiGeetika) 3 May 2018
However, the Rashtrapati Bhavan refuted the allegations. "President attends all award functions and convocations for a maximum of one hour. This has been the protocol since he took office. It was conveyed to information and broadcasting ministry several weeks ago and the ministry knew this all along. Rashtrapati Bhavan is surprised by the 11th hour questions that have been raised," said Ashok Malik, press secretary to the president.
President should present us the award that is our right. It is a tradition of President giving the award. It takes years to make a film. And it takes a minute for the President to present the award: Meghnath, Filmmaker on not accepting #NationalFilmAwards pic.twitter.com/s81jtBN4w0
— ANI (@ANI) 3 May 2018
President’s busy schedule
The controversy triggered a debate about whether the president should be present at all convocations, award ceremonies from the beginning to the end. Going by the Twitter handle of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the president was scheduled to meet Supreme Court judge, Justice SA Bobde, and Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University, Prof SK Srivastava, on Thursday.
Justice S.A. Bobde, Judge, Supreme Court of India, called on #PresidentKovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/SHrcgqxPKx
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) 3 May 2018
The chosen few
It was not clear how the 11 awards, presented by the president, were selected. But it included the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (Vinod Khanna) which was received by his son, actor Akshay Khanna; Best Actress (Sri Devi for Mom), which was received by the actress' daughters and husband Boney Kapoor and Best Music Direction (AR Rahman) among others.