Ansari noted that popular culture is a site where “collective social understandings are created” and films play a significant role in this, more so given the linguistic and regional diversity they portray.

Over the years, these awards have recognised excellence as also propelled new or unknown talent to national and international limelight and provide encouragement and recognition to them, he said.

Applauding Chatterjee, Ansari said "his partnership with Satyajit Ray would indeed be counted as a memorable director-actor combination in the history of cinema."

He said the award winners had proved that contrary to popular perception, Indian cinema is neither formulaic nor conforming to stereotypes. It has successfully adapted traditional Indian narrative and oral traditions to the requirements of technology and formats of new media.

Globalisation is also reflected in the nature and expectations of cinemagoers. "We have a growing middle class, and a younger generation of viewers; both are desirous and capable of spending on entertainment. The film viewers today, besides entertainment, seek to understand their society and their world, and to make sense of societal and personal evolution."

The technology and format of film viewing is also changing with new gadgets including phones, Tablets, Pay-per-view and laptops and venues such as multiplexes. This is leading to an increasing demand for better cinematography, improved quality and digital formats. They impact on the distribution and marketing and, thus, on revenue generation possibilities.

"It is evident our films are one of the most potent elements of our soft power. They are ambassadors of our culture, tradition and society. They foster people-to-people relations and promote our image and interests in ways that are not readily apparent but are of enduring significance. As we improve our society and economy and empower our citizens, our films will continue to play a leading role within the country and abroad to further the effort."

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the awards this year marked the commencement of the celebrations of 100 years of cinema. Programmes being given a fillip during the year included the National Film Heritage Mission for which a sum of Rs five billion had been allocated in the current five-year plan.

She said that the year will see the opening of the Museum of the Moving Image in Mumbai in the premises of the Gulshan Mahal in the Films Division Complex.

She agreed with Ansari that the rich cultural heritage and film music had contributed in turning India into a soft power. Cinema was the social mirror of society and a catalyst for the plurality of Indian culture. Regional cinema remained the mainstay of Indian cinema.

I&B Secretary Uday Varma said Indian cinema celebrates life in all its glory and shares joys and sorrows, encapsulating life in all its colours. It was the finest tribute to human creativity.

Chatterjee said he had been plagued in his early years on whether he had chosen the right profession, but his fans had proved him right.

Chairpersons Rohini Hatthangady (features), Ramesh Sharma (non-features) and Vijaya Mulay (writing on cinema) presented their reports. Others present included the two Ministers of State for I&B, C M Jatua and R Jagathrakshkan, Film Federation of India president Vinod Lamba, and Dharmesh Tiwari of the All India Cine Employees Confederation.

The evening presented by actors Vinay Pathak and Soumya Tandon saw music performances by National film awardees Anand Bhate (for his song in ‘Balgandharva’), Roopa Ganguly (for her song in ‘Abhosheyshey’) and Amit Trivedi and Amitabh Bhattacharya for the song ‘Agar Zindagi’ in ‘I am’. A film with clips from the award-winning films by Ramesh Tekwani and another on Chatterjee by Films Division were also screened.