The prestigious 70th National Film Awards ceremony, celebrating the best of Indian cinema, is currently underway at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. President Draupadi Murmu will be honoring the winners at this grand event. Among the highlights, legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty is set to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, one of the highest honors in Indian cinema, for his outstanding contributions to the film industry.
Mithun Chakraborty Honored with Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Mithun Chakraborty, a celebrated actor with a career spanning over four decades, is being recognized with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Known for his versatility and memorable roles in films like Disco Dancer, Mrigayaa, and Agneepath, Mithun has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His journey, from humble beginnings to becoming a global icon, has inspired countless aspiring actors.
This award is a fitting tribute to Mithun’s significant contribution to Indian cinema, and he is one of the key highlights of the event.
National Film Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Cinema
The National Film Awards have always celebrated the artistic and technical excellence of Indian cinema. This year, the list of winners spans across various languages and genres, showcasing the diversity of Indian films.
Best Feature Film honors went to the Malayalam film Attam. The film stood out for its powerful storytelling and impressive cinematography. Meanwhile, Sooraj Barjatya took home the award for Best Director for his heartfelt drama Unchai.
Bollywood and Regional Films Shine
Bollywood’s contribution to Indian cinema continues to shine, with films like Gulmohar and Brahmastra bagging key awards. Manoj Bajpayee, a seasoned actor, won the Special Mention Award for his role in Gulmohar, further solidifying his place as one of India’s finest talents. Music maestro Pritam also took home the award for Best Music Director for his work in Brahmastra.
In regional cinema, films like KGF Chapter 2 and Ponniyin Selvan 1 received major accolades. Rishabh Shetty, who took the film industry by storm with Kantara, was named Best Actor. His performance and the film’s unique storyline captured the hearts of audiences across the nation.
Nithya Menen and Mansi Parekh jointly won the Best Actress award for Thiruchitrambalam and Kutch Express respectively. Neena Gupta also won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Unchai, while Pawan Raj Malhotra bagged the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in the Haryanvi film Fauja.
Controversies at the National Film Awards
One of the biggest shocks of this year’s National Film Awards came with the disqualification of choreographer Jani Master. Initially awarded the Best Choreographer Award for his work in Tiruchitrambalam, Jani Master was stripped of the award following a rape accusation filed by his assistant. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting decided after an FIR was lodged against him in Telangana. This marks the first time a National Film Award has been revoked due to legal issues, adding an unexpected twist to the prestigious event.
Complete List of Winners
Here’s a look at the key winners from the 70th National Film Awards:
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Mithun Chakraborty
- Best Feature Film: Attam (Malayalam)
- Best Hindi Film: Gulmohar
- Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya (Unchai)
- Best Actor: Rishabh Shetty (Kantara)
- Best Actress: Nithya Menen (Thiruchitrambalam), Mansi Parekh (Kutch Express)
- Best Supporting Actress: Neena Gupta (Unchai)
- Best Supporting Actor: Pawan Raj Malhotra (Fauja)
- Best Music Director (Background): AR Rahman (Ponniyin Selvan 1)
- Best Popular Film Award: Kantara (Rishabh Shetty)
- Best Playback Singer (Female): Bombay Jayashree (Saudi Velakka)
- Best Playback Singer (Male): Arijit Singh (Kesariya, Brahmastra)
- Best Lyrics Award: Naushad Sadar Khan (Fauja – Haryanvi Movie)
- Best Stunt Choreography: KGF Chapter 2
- Best Cinematography: Ponniyin Selvan 1 (Ravi Varman)
- Best Film on National Social Issue: Kutch Express (Gujarati)
- Best Animation-Visual Effects: Brahmastra Part 1 (Ayan Mukherjee)
A Diverse Celebration of Indian Cinema
This year’s National Film Awards truly highlighted the rich diversity of Indian cinema, with films from across the country being celebrated for their storytelling, technical brilliance, and performances. From Ponniyin Selvan 1 to KGF Chapter 2, the winners represent the best of what Indian films have to offer. As the event continues to unfold, all eyes are on Vigyan Bhawan as Indian cinema’s finest are honored.
