The 70th National Film Awards were recently announced, recognizing the best films, actors, and crew in the Indian film industry. Rishab Shetty and Nithya Menen were awarded Best Actor for their outstanding performances, while the Malayalam film Aattam was honored as the Best Film. Brahmastra Part 1 and Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 also received recognition in several categories. The awards covered both Feature Films and Non-Feature Films, showcasing the diversity and talent within the industry.
In the Feature Films category, Aattam, a Malayalam film, was crowned as the Best Film. Other notable winners included Fouja for Best Debut Film, Kantara for providing wholesome entertainment, and Kutch Express for promoting national, social, and environmental values. Brahmastra Part 1 was acknowledged as the Best Film in Animation, Visual Effects, and Gaming (AVGC). Sooraj Barjatya won the Best Director award for Uunchai, while Nithya Menen, Manasi Parekh, and Rishab Shetty were recognized as Best Actors in Leading Roles.
The Crew Awards celebrated the behind-the-scenes talent in the industry, with winners in categories like Action Direction, Choreography, Music Direction, and Makeup. Notable winners included Anbariv for Best Action Direction in KGF Chapter 2, Jani Master and Sathish Krishnan for Best Choreography in Thiruchitrambalam, and Pritham for Best Music Direction in Brahmastra Part 1. The awards highlighted the diverse skills and craftsmanship involved in creating impactful films.
Regional films were also recognized, with winners in categories like Best Telugu Film, Best Tamil Film, Best Punjabi Film, and Best Bengali Film. Each region showcased its unique storytelling and cinematic style, providing a platform for regional filmmakers to showcase their talent and creativity. Notable winners included KGF Chapter 2 for Best Kannada Film, Gulmohar for Best Hindi Film, and Kaberi Antardhan for Best Bengali Film.
Special Mentions were given to individuals like Manoj Bajpayee for his performance in Gulmohar and Sanjay Salil Chowdhury for his music direction in Kadhikan. The awards highlighted the exceptional contributions of these individuals in their respective fields, acknowledging their talent and dedication to the craft. Non-Feature Films were also recognized, honoring films like Ayena, Madhyantara, and Aanakhi Ek Mohenjo Daro for their unique storytelling and impactful narratives.
The Film Writing category highlighted the importance of film criticism and literature, with awards for Best Critic and Best Book on Cinema. Deepak Dua was recognized as the Best Critic, while the book “Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography” received accolades for its contribution to cinema literature. The awards ceremony celebrated the diverse talents and contributions within the Indian film industry, showcasing the creativity and storytelling prowess of filmmakers across the country.
