President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday presented the 72nd National Film Awards at a ceremony held against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity, urging filmmakers to create meaningful cinema and calling for greater representation of women on award juries.A total of 92 awardees were honoured during the ceremony.Expressing satisfaction over the number of women among the winners, the President said she would like to see more women serving on award juries as well. She also encouraged the film industry to focus on socially relevant and responsible storytelling.”I am happy to see many women winners today. I would also love to see more women as part of the jury. The country’s cinema industry is vibrant to the core. I request members of the industry to make meaningful films carrying good messages. Star wahi hai jo ujala phailaye (a true star is one who spreads light),” she said.Veteran actor Anant Nag was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema spanning more than five decades.In the feature film category, Article 370 won the Swarna Kamal for Best Feature Film. Actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, while Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD was named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.Rajkumar Periasamy won the Best Director award for the Tamil film Amaran, while the Telugu film 35: Chinna Katha Kaadu was adjudged Best Children’s Film.The Best Actor award was shared by Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion. Yami Gautam won the Best Actress award for her performance in Article 370.Sanjay Mishra was named Best Supporting Actor for Bhakshak, while the Best Supporting Actress award was shared by Sachana Namidass for Maharaja and Ropashree Varkady for Mithya.Receiving his first National Film Award, Kartik Aaryan described the honour as a significant milestone in his artistic journey and expressed gratitude for the recognition.Addressing the gathering, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated the award winners and acknowledged the contributions of technicians, cinematographers and other behind-the-scenes professionals to the success of Indian cinema.He also congratulated Anant Nag on receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and lauded his contribution to the film industry over more than five decades.Vaishnaw said the decision to hold the National Film Awards at different tourist destinations across the country was inspired by India’s G20 presidency, during which more than 200 meetings were organised in over 60 cities.Inviting wider participation, he urged states and Union Territories to identify prominent tourist destinations that could host future editions of the National Film Awards.