New Delhi: In a move aimed at streamlining and modernizing the prestigious National Film Awards, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has introduced significant changes, including the removal of specific names associated with awards and the restructuring of prize money. The alterations are based on the recommendations of a committee set up by the ministry to rationalize and contemporize the honours.
One notable change involves the removal of the names of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the late actor Nargis Dutt from the awards. The ‘Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director’ will now be referred to as the ‘Best Debut Film of a Director.’ Similarly, the ‘Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration’ has been transformed into the ‘Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.’
The revision also extends to prize money adjustments. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, presented for a lifetime contribution to cinema, now carries an increased prize money of Rs 15 lakh, up from Rs 10 lakh. The Swarn Kamal and Rajat Kamal awards have seen their prize money raised to Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively.
Furthermore, awards for ‘Best Animation Film’ and ‘Best Special Effects’ have been amalgamated under a new category, ‘Best AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) Film,’ with two additional sub-categories.
In the non-feature film category, certain segments have been discontinued while others have been merged. The introduction of a new category for the best script has been announced as part of these changes.
The committee, chaired by Neerja Sekhar, Additional Secretary in the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, included prominent figures such as filmmakers Priyadarshan and Vipul Amrutlal Shah, Central Board of Film Certification chief Prasoon Joshi, and I&B joint secretary (films) Prithul Kumar. The overarching goal of these modifications is to streamline the awards, providing a renewed focus on excellence in Indian cinema.
These changes mark a significant step toward modernizing the National Film Awards, aligning them with contemporary standards and ensuring that the honors continue to reflect the evolving landscape of Indian cinema.