The much-awaited 69th National Film Awards winners were revealed on Thursday at 5 pm. This year's recipients showcased a diverse array of talent, with recognition given to remarkable performances and exceptional filmmaking.

Best Actor: Allu Arjun Triumphs with "Pushpa: The Rise"

Allu Arjun took home the prestigious Best Actor award for his exceptional portrayal in "Pushpa: The Rise." His outstanding performance added depth and authenticity to the character, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Shared Triumph: Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon Shine

The Best Actress award was shared by two remarkable talents - Alia Bhatt for her mesmerizing role in "Gangubai Kathiawadi" and Kriti Sanon for her heartwarming performance in "Mimi." Both actresses displayed incredible versatility and dedication, contributing to the success of their respective films.

"Rocketry: The Nambi Effect" Soars High

"Rocketry: The Nambi Effect" soared to victory, clinching the Best Feature Film award. The film's compelling narrative and technical brilliance captivated audiences, making it a deserving recipient of this esteemed recognition.

Promoting Unity: "The Kashmir Files" Wins the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration. The film's ability to address a significant social theme while delivering impactful storytelling highlighted its importance in promoting unity.

"Sardar Udham" Dominates the Awards

Shoojit Sircar's biographical historical drama, "Sardar Udham," emerged as a dominant force at the awards. Garnering multiple accolades, it secured the titles of Best Hindi Film, Best Cinematography (Avik Mukhopadhyay), Best Audiography (Sinoy Joseph), Best Production Design (Dmitrii Malich and Mansi Dhruv Mehta), and Best Costume Design (Veera Kapur Ee).

National Film Awards: Celebrating Excellence and Relevance

The National Film Awards hold a position of unparalleled prestige in the Indian film industry. These annual awards serve as a platform to honor exceptional filmmaking talents from across the nation, recognizing their contributions to both aesthetic and technical brilliance, as well as their engagement with socially relevant themes.

A Rich Legacy: From 'State Awards' to National Recognition

Initiated in 1954 as the 'State Awards,' these accolades have evolved over the years. Originally focused on recognizing outstanding films in regional languages, the awards eventually expanded to encompass actors and technicians in 1967. Nargis secured the first-ever Best Actress award for her remarkable performance in "Raat Aur Din," while Uttam Kumar was honored as Best Actor for his roles in "Antony Firingee" and "Chiriyakhana."

68th National Film Awards: Previous Milestones

The 68th National Film Awards showcased the excellence that Indian cinema has to offer. "Soorarai Pottru," a Tamil masterpiece, claimed victory in five categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Actor (Suriya), Best Actress (Aparna Balamurali), Best Music Direction (Score) for G V Prakash Kumar, and Best Original Screenplay (Sudha Kongara).

Acknowledging Legends: Asha Parekh's Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The 68th National Film Awards also paid homage to cinematic legends. Asha Parekh was fittingly honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2022, recognizing her immense contributions to the world of Indian cinema.

The 69th National Film Awards stand as a testament to the continuous evolution and growth of Indian cinema, celebrating both established talents and emerging voices. With a rich legacy and a commitment to excellence, these awards inspire filmmakers and audiences alike.

.T.N. Krishnan Bow Strings to Divine got Best Art Film.

"Ethos of Darkness" wins Best Science & Technology Film.

 "Endangered Heritage 'Warli Art'" wins best promotional film.

 "Munnam Valavu" wins Best Environment Film (Non-Feature Film).

Best Non-Featured film on social Issues goes to: Mithu Di, Three-two-one.

Best Investigative Film: "Looking For Challan".

Best Exploration Film: "Ayushman".

Best Educational Film: "Sirpigalin Sirpangal".

Best Short Fiction Film: "Dal Bhat".

Best Animation Film: "Kandittundu".

Best Film on Family Values: "Chand Saanse".

Best Cinematography (Non-feature film): Bittu Rawat for "Pataal".

Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track) (Non-feature film): Unni krishnan for "Ek Tha Gaon".

Best Production Sound Recordist (Location/Sync Sound) (Non-feature film): Suruchi Sharma for "Meen Raag".

Best Editing (Non-feature film): Abhro Banerjee for "If Memory Serves Me Right".

Best Music Direction (Non-feature film): Ishaan Divecha for "Succulent".

Best Narration/Voice Over,  (Non-feature film)

: Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee for "Hathibondhu".

Special Mention: Aniruddha Jatkar for "Baale Bangara,"  Srikanth Deva for Karuvarai

Sweta Kumar Das For the Healing Touch

Ram Kamal Mukherjee for "Ek Duaa".

Special Jury Award

Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe for "Rekha".

A. Best Book on Cinema: "Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal: The Incredibly Melodious Journey" by Rajiv Vijayakar.

B. Best Film Critic: Purushothama Charyulu.

C. Best Film Critic (Special Mention): Subramanya Bandoor.

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By: Sunil Kumar