Vice President (Venkaiah Naidu) M Vekanya Naidu has appealed to filmmakers not to allow violence, obscenity and vulgarity in films. He was speaking today after awarding the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award to renowned actor Rajnikanth and awarding national awards to film actors in various languages. He said that film should be a means of conveying a high purpose, social and moral message. He also said that the film should raise the voice of social dislike against social ills without highlighting violence.

He appealed to the world of cinema not to do anything that would jeopardize our great culture, traditions and values.

Mentioning that India is the soft power of the world's largest filmmaker, he said that his films are seen and acclaimed all over the world including Japan, Egypt, China, USA, Russia, Middle East and Australia. Films express universal languages, not geographical and religious boundaries. The National Awards also showcase the talent, richness and diversity of the Indian film industry. Mentioning the reality of climate change, he emphasized the need for the world of cinema to underline the importance of conserving nature. He said the Kovid-19 epidemic also made us realize the importance of nature.

He congratulated Rajinikanth on receiving this year's Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He lauded Rajinikanth's style and acting skills for giving a new dimension to the Indian film industry. Mentioning his unforgettable roles in Mundru Mudichu, Shivaji: The Boss, Vyathinile, Bairvi, Thalaiva said that he had created a perfect balance between artistic expression and acting that would appeal to the common man.

Sikkim bagged the highest film friendly state award.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting S Murugan, Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Apoorva Chandra, Chairman of the Features Films Jury N.S. Chandra, non-fiction film jury chairman Arun Chadha etc. were present on the occasion.