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This year’s most significant achievement was Rishabh Shetty's outstanding performance and direction in the Kannada film Kantara.
The 70th National Film Awards were announced today at 1:30 PM, recognizing outstanding achievements in Indian cinema. These awards celebrate films certified in 2022 highlighting the rich diversity and dynamism of the film industry.
This year’s most significant achievement was Rishabh Shetty’s remarkable performance and direction in the Kannada film Kantara. His work in the film stood out as a highlight of the awards.
In this blockbuster Shetty plays a village strongman who uncovers his true potential as a protector of his community. Kantara has received widespread acclaim and has become the highest-grossing Kannada film since the KGF franchise.
In a notable acknowledgment of female talent the Best Actress award was jointly given to Nithya Menen for her role in Thiruchitrambalam and Manasi Parekh for her performance in Kutch Express. This tie highlights the exceptional skills and contributions of women in Indian cinema.
Sooraj Barjatya won the Best Director award for Uunchai, which features a stellar cast including Amitabh Bachchan. Neena Gupta also received accolades at the ceremony, winning the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Uunchai.
The Malayalam film Aattam won the National Award for Best Film. Directed by Anand Ekarshi, it delves into the harrowing story of a female member of a theatre troupe who is sexually assaulted by the male lead during a farmhouse retreat. The film’s official description emphasizes its intense narrative: “A crime in sight, a fortune at stake. The play goes beyond the stage.”
Featuring performances by Sudheer Babu, Zarin Shihab, and Vinay Forrt, Aattam marks Anand Ekarshi’s directorial debut and is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
In other award news, Gulmohar received the Best Hindi Film accolade. This family drama, available on Disney+ Hotstar, stars Manoj Bajpayee, Sharmila Tagore, Amol Palekar, Suraj Sharma, and Simran. Directed by Rahul Chittella, Gulmohar features a screenplay co-written by Chittella and Arpita Mukherjee.
Gulmohar Wins Best National Film Award 2024
70th National Film Awards, the film Gulmohar won the Best Hindi Film Award for 2024. Released in March 2023, it featured stellar performances by Sharmila Tagore and Manoj Bajpayee. The film was celebrated for its excellence in cinema while Manoj Bajpayee received a special mention from the jury for his outstanding performance.
Gulmohar is a Star Studios production in collaboration with Chalkboard Entertainment and Autonomous Works. The film features a musical score by Siddhartha Khosla and includes performances by Simran, Suraj Sharma, Amol Palekar, and Kaveri Seth, among others. The family drama which centers on the Batra family’s emotional journey as they prepare to leave their 34-year-old family home was highly praised by fans and received positive reviews from critics.
Gulmohar also marked Sharmila Tagore’s return to the screen after a 13-year hiatus since Break Ke Baad. Her performance as the matriarch of the family, who is revealed to be queer earned her widespread critical acclaim for its sensitivity and depth.
Sharmila Tagore won the Best Actor (Female – Jury Choice) award for Gulmohar at the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 in February. In an exclusive interview at the time, she shared, “I don’t quite look at it as a comeback or a restart. Tagore mentioned, “Playing Kusum in Gulmohar was a wonderful experience. I would like to thank Rahul V Chittella for his vision. I had the privilege of working with a fantastic cast—Manoj Bajpayee, Amol Palekar, Simran, Utsavi Jha, Kaveri Seth, Suraj Sharma, and Chandan Roy.
Tagore further expressed how Gulmohar had a significant impact on audiences, stating “Even one year on, there’s so much recall and appreciation for the film. It has resonated across all generations and transcended boundaries. It’s a very special film indeed. It’s not just my film; it’s a collaborative effort. Everyone has particularly appreciated the queer aspect of it including my wink at the end.
Dhanush and Vikram's wish the National Award winners of their films
Dhanush and Chiyaan Vikram, who were celebrated for their performances in ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ and ‘Thiruchitrambalam’ respectively at the 70th National Film Awards, expressed their heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the prestigious honors. Both actors conveyed their admiration for the talented individuals and teams recognized at the awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of their peers in the film industry.
Taking to their social media handles, Dhanush and Vikram extended their congratulations to all the winners of the 70th National Film Awards, with a special shoutout to the recipients from their own films. Mani Ratnam’s directorial Ponniyin Selvan 1 secured four awards, while Thiruchitrambalam earned two. Both actors expressed their pride and appreciation for the recognition their films received and celebrated the achievements of their colleagues in the industry.
Feeling blessed that PS1 has been honored with national recognition, thanks to the unwavering love of the audience. This achievement celebrates Tamil history literature culture and cinema coming together triumphantly from the past to the present. Congratulations to Mani Sir, @LycaProductions, @arrahman, and @dop_ravivarman on this incredible achievement #NationalAwards
Congratulations to the team of Thiruchitrambalam .I’m especially thrilled that @MenenNithya as Shobana, has won the national award—it’s a personal win for me. A big shoutout to Jaani Master and Satish Master as well. It’s a fantastic day for the entire team.
The ceremony to honor the best Indian films produced across languages in 2022 will be held at a future date. During this event the President will recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements in Indian cinema.
Sooraj Barjatya wins Best Director for Uunchai
Sooraj Barjatya was awarded Best Director for Uunchai At the 70th National Film Awards, other notable winners included Ponniyin Selvan I, KGF 2, and Brahmastra: Part 1 – Shiva. Arijit Singh received the Best Male Playback Singer award for his performance of the song ‘Kesariya’ from Brahmastra, while AR Rahman was honored with the Best Music Director (Background Music) award for Ponniyin Selvan.
Veteran actress Neena Gupta has achieved another milestone in her distinguished career by winning the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Uunchai. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Neena Gupta expressed her surprise and gratitude for receiving the award .