The prestigious 70th National Film Awards were announced on Friday, August 16, bringing joy to cinema lovers across the nation. The event saw Kantara taking home the coveted Best Feature Film award, while its lead, Rishab Shetty, was recognized as the Best Actor for his outstanding performance.
Rishab Shetty’s Triumph
Rishab Shetty, who not only acted in but also directed Kantara, was awarded the Best Actor accolade. His portrayal of a complex character in a narrative deeply rooted in cultural traditions resonated with both audiences and critics alike. Shetty’s win is particularly noteworthy as it highlights the rising prominence of Kannada cinema on the national stage. His ability to bring local folklore to life with authenticity and cinematic finesse set Kantara apart from other contenders this year.
Kantara Wins Best Feature Film
Kantara clinched the Best Feature Film award, further cementing its place as a landmark in Indian cinema. The film, which blends action, drama, and mythology, has been praised for its storytelling, direction, and technical prowess. Its success at the National Film Awards is a testament to the growing appreciation for regional cinema that offers unique perspectives and rich narratives. The film’s win is also seen as a victory for stories that explore the nuances of India’s diverse cultural landscape.
Here is the list of winners.
Best Actor: Rishab Shetty (Kantara)
Best Actress: Nithya Menon (Thiruchitrabalam)/ Mansi Parekh (Kutch Express)
Best Supporting Actress: Neena Gupta (Uunchai)
Best Supporting Actor : Pavan Raj Malhotra (Fouja)
Best Dialogue Writer – Gulmohar
Best Cinematography – Ponniyin Selvan 1
Best Playback Singer Female – Bombay Jayashri
Best Playback Singer Male – Arijit Singh
Best Feature Film – Aattam ( Malayalam )
Best costume – Niki Joshi (Kutch Express)
Best sound design -Anand Krishnamoorthi (PS 1)
Best Action Direction – Anbariv (KGF 2)
Best Lyrics- Naushad Sadar Khan (Fouja)
Best Hindi Film: Gulmohar
Best Choreography – Jani Master and Sathish Krishnan for ‘Megham Karukatha’ in Thiruchitrambalam
Best Sound Design – Anand Krishnamoorthy for PS 1
Best Editing – Mahesh Bhuvanend (Aattam)
Special Jury Award – Manoj Bajpayee for Gulmohar and Sanjoy Chowdhury for Kadhikan
Best Assamese Film: Emuthi Puthi
Best Marathi Film: Vaalvi
Best Kannada Film: KGF 2
Best Telugu Film: Kartikeya 2
Best Tamil Film: PS 1
Best Feature Film In Assamese: Emuthi Puthi
Best Feature Film In Bengali: Kaberi Antardhan
Best Feature Film In Punjabi: Baghi Di Dhee
Best Film in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic – Brahmastra: Part 1 – Shiva, by Ayan Mukherji
Best Feature Film promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values – Kutch Express by Viral Shah
Non-feature films categories
Best Non-Feature Film – Ayena by Siddhant Sarin
Best Documentary – Murmurs of the Jungle
Best Animated Film – A Coconut Tree by Joshy Benedict
Best Non-Feature Film Direction – From The Shadow by Miriam Chandy Menacherry
Best Non-Feature Film Music Direction – Vishal Bharadwaj for Fursat (Leisure)
Best Book On Cinema – Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar
Best Film Critic – Deepak Dua (Hindi)
