The esteemed National Film Awards have embarked on a new journey, leaving behind their traditional roots to adopt a new narrative. This change, which resonates deeply within the Indian film industry, sees the retirement of two iconic names—Indira Gandhi and Nargis Dutt—from the award categories. Let’s explore this exciting transformation in the world of cinema.
The Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director and the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, both prestigious categories of the National Film Awards, have been renamed and came into effect on February 13, 2024. It’s important to note that the Indira Gandhi Award was not renamed as the Nargis Dutt Award. Instead, each award was given a new name that reflects its purpose more clearly.
Honoring Excellence: A New Approach
The 70th National Film Awards (2022) have adopted the recommendations of a committee—a group of creative thinkers and industry professionals. Their goal is to refine the awards given to exceptional filmmakers, actors, and technicians. These discussions during the pandemic led to unanimous decisions that reflect the changing times.
The National Film Awards have taken a significant step forward. The awards previously known as the Indira Gandhi Award and the Nargis Dutt Award have been renamed to more accurately reflect their purpose. The decision, made by a committee of respected individuals from the film industry and the Information and Broadcasting ministry, signifies a major transformation in the awards. The Best Debut Film of a Director, formerly the Indira Gandhi Award, now solely honors the director, recognizing the creative force behind the camera. This change not only simplifies the title but also shifts the focus, marking a new era in the National Film Awards.
The Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration has been
beautifully transformed into the Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values. This new award not only recognizes cinematic brilliance but also values commitment to social harmony and environmental conservation. Nargis Dutt’s enduring legacy continues to shine in this modern interpretation.
Pioneers of Change
Leading this transformative journey was Neerja Sekhar, the chairperson of the rationalization committee. She was joined by industry luminaries like Priyadarshan, Vipul Shah, and Haobam Paban Kumar who contributed their creative insights. The Central Board of Film Certification’s head, Prasoon Joshi, and cinematographer S. Nallamuthu also played key roles in shaping this new narrative. The unsung heroes of this transformation—the joint secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prithul Kumar, and the ministry’s director of finance, Kamlesh Kumar Sinha—also deserve recognition.
National Award’s New Chapter 
The National Film Awards have embraced a significant transformation. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award’s monetary reward has increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. The Swarn Kamal and Rajat Kamal awards have also seen an increase in their prize money. Notable changes include the merging of ‘best animation film’ and ‘best special effects’ into a new category, and the renaming of the ‘best audiography’ and ‘best music direction’ categories.
These changes were suggested by a rationalization committee set up by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The National Awards for 2022 are running a year late due to the pandemic, marking a new chapter in the history of the National Film Awards, blending tradition and innovation.
The renaming of the Indira Gandhi Award as the Nargis Dutt National Film Award is a poignant tribute to a legendary actress who defined an era of Indian cinema. Nargis Dutt’s talent, philanthropy, and enduring legacy continue to inspire and resonate with audiences around the world. The award stands as a fitting tribute to her remarkable contributions to Indian cinema and society as a whole. Let’s celebrate this evolution—a nod to our past and a beacon for our future.
