“Keep dreaming. Sleep but don't let your dreams sleep. "That was what veteran actor Gouranga aka Mithun Chakraborty said to aspiring actors as he received India’s highest cinematic recognition from President Droupadi Murmu at a star-studded function in New Delhi on Tuesday evening. 

Chakraborty, wearing a brace on his right hand, received the Dadasaheb Phalke award for lifetime contribution to cinema amid loud applause from the spectators who gave him a standing ovation as he walked to the dais with the help of an aide.

"I have come to this stage once again thanks to your blessings...Nothing was handed to me on a platter. I struggled a lot. But today, after receiving this award, I have stopped complaining. Thank you, God, you gave me everything back and with interest," the 74-year-old actor said in his award acceptance speech.

Addressing the function, Mithun Chakraborty shared the experiences of his struggle in the film industry. He recalled the discrimination he faced due to his dusky complexion and shared his dancing success mantra with the awardees and audience present in the auditorium.

He also shared a few tips for budding actors. "Our Country has many talented people but what they don't have is money. I'd like to tell them that you may not have money but don't lose hope. Keep dreaming. Sleep but don’t let your dreams sleep.” 

The President congratulated Chakraborty for receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke award and said that in his artistic journey of almost five decades, Mithunji has not only portrayed serious characters on screen but has also portrayed with success many ordinary stories with his “unique energy.”

Malayalam film “Aattam: The Play” won the award for the best feature film, along with wins in screenplay and editing categories.

Bollywood’s Sooraj R Barjatya was adjudged the best director for the Hindi movie “Uunchai”.

The award for the best actor went to Rishab Shetty for Kannada hit “Kantara” which also took home the prize for best popular film award for providing wholesome entertainment.

Nithya Menen (Tamil film ‘Thiruchitrambalam’) and Manasi Parekh (Gujarati movie ‘Kutch Express’) shared the best actress honour.

Music composer A R Rahman won the National Film Award for best background music for his work in Mani Ratnam's ‘Ponnyin Selvan, which was also named the best Tamil film. This is the seventh national award for both Rahman and Ratnam.

Rahman said he is happy that his seventh national award has come for a film with Ratnam who gave Rahman a break with ‘Roja’. Rahman also received his first national award in the best music direction category for the 1992 film.

"This is the seventh national award and I'm very, very grateful to God and all the filmmakers who have helped me get these national awards, especially to Mr Mani Ratnam," he added.

Manoj Bajpayee received a special mention for Gulmohar', which also won Rahul V Chittella the award for best Hindi film.

Pritam Chakrabarty got the award for best music director (songs) for ‘Brahmastra-Part 1’. Neena Gupta won her second Best Supporting Actress award for the same film. Pawan Malhotra was named the best supporting actor for the Haryanvi film ‘Fouja’.

Speaking at the function, President Murmu said, “Indian films reflect the artistic sense of our society. Life is changing. The Standards of art are changing. New aspirations are arising. New problems are emerging. New awareness is rising. Amidst all these changes, the unchanging values of love, compassion, and service are still making our individual and collective lives meaningful. We can see all these values portrayed in the film awarded today.”

The President said that Indian cinema is the largest film industry in the world, with films being produced in multiple languages and in all regions of the country.

She said though the languages and backgrounds of award-winning films may be different but they all are reflections of India.

Murmu noted that out of more than 85 awards distributed on Tuesday, only 15 have been received by women and said the film industry could make more efforts towards women-led development.

The President pointed out that meaningful films often do not find an audience and urged aware citizens, social organisations, and governments to work together to increase the reach of meaningful cinema to the audience.