69th National Film Awards: Film fraternity celebrates the best of Indian cinema
By News Desk
The 69th National Film Awards winners were declared on Friday, August 24 at the National Media Centre in New Delhi. These esteemed awards, initiated in 1954, are managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Government of India.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns, the event celebrated films from 2021. Among the prominent winners was the Alia Bhatt starrer film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, securing five accolades.
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I’m elated for all the winners, be it my film or others. Acknowledgment from the government, national recognition, and praise from a reputable jury always bring joy. This celebration of cinema from across India is a truly splendid moment for us all. I’m extremely delighted.”
Alia Bhatt who played the lead role in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ was honoured with the ‘Best Actress’ award. She jointly received the award with Kriti Sanon, acknowledged for her role in ‘Mimi’. The two actresses exchanged congratulatory messages on Instagram.
Sanon wrote: “Congratulations Aliaaaa! So so well deserved! I’ve always admired your work and I’m too excited that I got to share this huge moment with you!
“Yayyyiiee! Biggg hug! Let’s celebrate!”
Meanwhile, Alia said: “Kriti… I remember messaging you the day I saw Mimi… it was such an honest and powerful performance… I cried and cried… so so well deserved… shine on you star.
“The world is your oyster @kritisanon.”
Interestingly, ‘Mimi’ features a Scottish child actor Jacob Smith, who was cast for the role of Raj Rathore whilst on a family holiday in Goa, India.
Revered actor Pankaj Tripathi also won the award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his role in ‘Mimi’ and released a statement where he paid tribute to his father who passed away recently.
During this time of “loss and grieving” for him, Tripathi said:
“This National Award I dedicate to him and his spirit. I’m who I am today because of him.
“I’m in loss of words due to this time but I’m happy and grateful to the team.
“Kriti Sanon also has won the Best Actress, so a huge congratulations to her.”
RRR, the international blockbuster directed by SS Rajamouli, secured six awards, and The Kashmir Files by Vivek Agnihotri also earned two awards.
Agnihotri, who is currently in the United States, conveyed his appreciation, mentioning that he woke up to this exciting news.
Here is the full list of winners:
Best Mishing Film
Boomba Ride
Best Assamese Film
Anur
Best Bengali Film
Kalkkoho
Best Hindi Film
Sardar Udham
Best Kannada Film
777 Charlie
Best Gujarati Film
Chello Show
Best Maithili Film
Samanantar
Best Marathi Film
Ekda Kay Zala
Best Malayalam Film
Home
Best Tamil Film
Kadaisi Vivasayi
Best Telugu Film
Uppena
Best Meiteilon Film
Eikhoigi Yum
Best Odiya Film
Pratikshya
Special Jury Award
Shershaah
Best Child Artist
Bhavin Rabari – Chhello Show
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director
Vishnu Mohan – Meppadiyan
Best Film on Social Issues
Anunaad – The Resonance
Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
Aavasavyuham
Best Children’s Film
Gandhi and Co
Best Screenplay (Original)
Shahi Kabir – Nayattu
Best Screenplay (Adapted)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Utkarshini Vashishtha – Gangubai Kathiawadi
Best Dialogue Writer
Utkarshini Vashishtha & Prakash Kapadia – Gangubai Kathiawadi
Best Music Director (Songs)
Devi Sri Prasad – Pushpa: The Rise
Best Music Direction (Background Music)
MM Keeravaani – RRR
Best Male Playback Singer
Kaala Bhairava – RRR
Best Female Playback Singer
Shreya Ghoshal – Iravin Nizhal
Best Lyrics
Chandrabose – Dham Dham Dham (Konda Polam)
Best Audiography (Location Sound Recordist)
Arun Asok & Sonu KP – Chavittu
Best Audiography (Sound Designer)
Aneesh Basu – Jhilli
Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track)
Sinoy Joseph – Sardar Udham
Best Editing
Sanjay Leela Bhansali – Gangubai Kathiawadi
Best Choreography
Prem Rakshith – RRR
Best Cinematography
Avik Mukhopadhyay – Sardar Udham
Best Costume Designer
Veera Kapur Ee – Sardar Udham
Best Special Effects
Srinivas Mohan – RRR
Best Production Design
Dmitrii Malich & Mansi Dhruv Mehta – Sardar Udham
Best Make-up
Preetisheel Singh – Gangubai Kathiawadi
Best Stunt Choreography
King Soloman – RRR
Best Director
Nikhil Mahajan – Godavari
Best Actor
Allu Arjun – Pushpa: The Rise
Best Actress
Alia Bhatt – Gangubai Kathiawadi
Kriti Sanon – Mimi
Best Supporting Actor
Pankaj Tripathi – Mimi
Best Supporting Actress
Pallavi Joshi – The Kashmir Files
Best Film on National Integration
The Kashmir Files
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
RRR
Best Feature Film
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
Special Mention
Baale Bangara (Aniruddha Jatkar)
Karuvarai (Srikanth Deva)
The Healing Touch (Sweta Kumar Das)
Ek Duaa (Ram Kamal Mukherjee)
Best Narration/Voiceover
Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee
Best Music Direction
Ishaan Divecha – Succulent
Best Editing
Abhro Banerjee – If Memory Serves Me Right
Best Production Sound Recordist (Location/Sync Sound)
Suruchi Sharma – Meen Raag
Best Audiography (Re-recordist)
Unni Krishnan – Ek Tha Gaon
Best Cinematography
Bittu Rawat – Paatal
Best Direction
Bakul Matiyani – Smile Please
Best Film On Family Values
Chand Saanse
Best Short Fiction Film
Daal Bhat
Special Jury
Rekha
Best Animation Film
Kandittundu
Best Investigative Film
Looking For Challan
Best Exploration Film
Ayushman
Best Educational Film
Sirpigalin Sirpangal
Best Film On Social Issues
Mithu Di
Three Two One
Best Environmental Film
Munnam Valavu
Best Promotional Film
Endangered Heritage ‘Warli Art’
Best Science and Technology Film
Ethos Of Darkness
Best Arts Film
TN Krishnan Bow Strings To Divine
Best Book on Cinema
Rajiv Vijayakar – Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal: The Incredibly Melodious Journey
Best Film Critic
Purushothama Charyulu
Best Film Critic (Special Mention)
Subramanya Bandoor
