Winners of the 70th National Film Awards Announced in New Delhi
70th National Film Awards: The winners of the 70th National Film Awards were officially announced at the National Media Center in New Delhi on Friday. This prestigious event celebrates the best of Indian cinema, recognizing outstanding feature and non-feature films across various languages produced in 2022. The awards ceremony will take place at a later date, where the winners will be honoured by the President of India.
Eligibility and Jury Details
To qualify for the awards, films had to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. The jury for this year's awards featured notable figures in the film industry, including Rahul Rawail, who served as the Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury; Nila Madhab Panda, Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury; and Gangadhar Mudalair, Chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury.
Top Honours: Aattam Wins Best Feature Film, Rishab Shetty Named Best Actor
The Malayalam-language drama Aattam won the Best Feature Film award, while Rishab Shetty won the Best Actor award and the Best Actress honour was shared by Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh.
Complete List of Winners at the 70th National Film Awards
Best Feature Film – Aattam
Best Actor – Rishab Shetty
Best Actress – Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh
Best Director – Sooraj Barjatya
Best Supporting Actress – Neena Gupta
Best Supporting Actor – Pawan Malhotra
Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Kantara
Best Debut – Fouja, Pramod Kumar
Regional Film Awards: Honouring Excellence Across Languages
Best Telugu Film – Kartikeya 2
Best Tamil Film – Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1
Best Punjabi Film – Baaghi Di Dhee
Best Odia Film – Daman
Best Malayalam Film – Saudi Velakka CC.225/2009
Best Marathi Film – Vaalvi
Best Kannada Film – KGF: Chapter 2
Best Hindi Film – Gulmohar
Special Mentions and Technical Awards
Special Mentions – Manoj Bajpayee in Gulmohar, and Sanjoy Salil Chowdhury for Kalikhan
Best Action Direction – KGF: Chapter 2
Best Choreography – Tiruchitrabalam
Best Lyrics – Fouja
Best Music Director – Pritam (Songs), AR Rahman (Background Score)
Best Makeup – Aparajito
Best Costumes – Kutchh Express
Best Production Design – Aparajito
Best Editing – Aattam
Best Sound Design – Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1
Best Screenplay – Aattam
Best Dialogues – Gulmohar
Best Cinematography – Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1
Best Female Playback – Soudi Velakka CC.225/2009
Best Female Playback – Brahmastra
Delays Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
The National Film Awards ceremonies have faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the awards, which typically recognize the best Indian films each year, have been postponed by two years.
Highlights from the 69th National Film Awards (2023)
The 69th National Film Awards, held in 2023, honoured the best films certified in the calendar year 2021. The prestigious Best Feature Film award went to Rocketry, a biographical drama that captured the audience's attention. Allu Arjun was honoured with the Best Actor award for his powerful performance, while Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actress award, highlighting their exceptional talent in their respective films.
Highlights from the 68th National Film Awards
At the 68th National Film Awards, the Tamil film Soorarai Pottru won the top honour, showcasing the strength of regional cinema in India. The Best Director award was posthumously given to the late filmmaker Sachy for his outstanding work in Ayyappanum Koshiyum. In the Best Actor category, Ajay Devgn and Suriya shared the award, both delivering stellar performances. Aparna Balamurali was recognized as the Best Actress for her role in Soorarai Pottru.
Legacy of the National Film Awards: A Tradition of Excellence Since 1954
The National Film Awards, established in 1954 and managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals, have been a cornerstone of Indian cinema. The very first Best Feature Film award went to the Marathi classic Shyamchi Aai, marking the beginning of a tradition of recognizing cinematic brilliance. Among the many films honoured over the years, Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan stands out as the most awarded, receiving an impressive eight accolades in 2002. The awards not only celebrate the best films across the nation but also spotlight exceptional works in regional languages. Additionally, the event honours cinematic legends with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement, with last year’s honour going to the iconic Waheeda Rehman.
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