New Delhi, India – The 69th National Film Awards, one of the highest honors in Indian cinema, were announced at the National Media Center in New Delhi. This prestigious event celebrated the exceptional talent that has made significant contributions to the nation’s cinematic landscape.
A Glittering Ceremony The awards were unveiled during a splendid ceremony. Allu Arjun was honored as the Best Actor for his role in “Pushpa.” The Best Actress Awards were presented to Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon for their remarkable performances in “Gangubai Kathiawadia” and “Mimi,” respectively. “The Nambi Effect” received the Best Feature Film Award, and “The Kashmir Files” was recognized with the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration.
Category | Winner |
|---|---|
Best Feature Film | Rocketry |
Best Director | Nikhil Mahajan, Godavari |
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | RRR |
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration | The Kashmir Files |
Best Actor | Allu Arjun, Pushpa |
Best Actress | Alia Bhatt, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti Sanon, Mimi |
Best Supporting Actor | Pankaj Tripathi, Mimi |
Best Supporting Actress | Pallavi Joshi, The Kashmir Files |
Best Child Artist | Bhavin Rabari, Chhello Show |
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 |
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, Konda Polam’s Dham Dham Dham |
Best Hindi Film | Sardar Udham |
Best Kannada Film | 777 Charlie |
Best Malayalam Film | Home |
Best Gujarati Film | Chhello Show |
Best Tamil Film | Kadaisi Vivasayi |
Best Telugu Film | Uppena |
Best Maithili Film | Samanantar |
Best Mishing Film | Boomba Ride |
Best Marathi Film | Ekda Kaay Zala |
Best Bengali Film | Kalkokkho |
Best Assamese Film | Anur |
Best Meiteilon Film | Eikhoigi Yum |
Best Odia Film | Pratikshya |
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director | Meppadiyan, Vishnu Mohan |
Best Film on Social Issues | Anunaad – The Resonance |
Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation | Aavasavyuham |
Best Children’s Film | Gandhi and Co |
Best Audiography (Location Sound Recordist) | Arun Asok & Sonu K P, Chavittu |
Best Audiography (Sound Designer) | Aneesh Basu, Jhilli |
Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track) | Sinoy Joseph, Sardar Udham |
Best Choreography | Prem Rakshith, RRR |
Best Cinematography | Avik Mukhopadhayay, Sardar Udham |
Best Costume Designer | Veera Kapur Ee, Sardar Udham |
Best Special Effects | Srinivas Mohan, RRR |
Best Production Design | Dmitrii Malich and Mansi Dhruv Mehta, Sardar Udham |
Best Editing | Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
Best Makeup | Preetisheel Singh, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
Best Stunt Choreography | King Soloman, RRR |
Special Jury Award | Shershaah, Vishnuvardhan |
Special Mention | 1. Late Shri Nallandi, Kadaisi Vivasayi 2. Aranya Gupta & Bithan Biswas, Jhilli 3. Indrans, Home 4. Jahanara Begum, Anur |
Best Non-feature film | Ek Tha Gaon |
Best Direction (Non-feature film) | Bakul Matiyani, Smile Please |
Best Debut Non-Feature Film of a Director | Paanchika, Ankit Kothari |
Best Anthropological Film | Fire on Edge |
Best Biographical Film | Rukhu Matir Dukhu Majhi and Beyond Blast |
Best Arts Films | T.N. Krishnan Bow Strings to Divine |
Best Science & Technology Films | Ethos of Darkness |
Best Promotional Film | Endangered Heritage ‘Warli Art’ |
Best Environment Film (Non-feature film) | Munnam Valavu |
Best Film on Social Issues (Non-feature film) | Mithu Di and 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, Pataal |
Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track) (Non-feature film) | Unni krishnan, Ek Tha Gaon |
Best Production Sound Recordist (Location/Sync Sound) (Non-feature film) | Suruchi Sharma, Meen Raag |
Best Editing (Non-feature film) | Abhro Banerjee, If Memory Serves Me Right |
Best Music Direction (Non-feature film) | Ishaan Divecha, Succelent |
Best Narration/Voice Over (Non-feature film) | Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee, Hathibondhu |
Special Mention (Non-feature film) | 1. Aniruddha Jatkar, Baale Bangara, 2. Srikanth Deva, Karuvarai, 3. Sweta Kumar Das, The Healing Touch, 4. Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Ek Duaa |
Special Jury Award (Non-feature film) | Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe, Rekha |
Best Book on Cinema | Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal: The Incredibly Melodious Journey by Rajiv Vijayakar |
Best Film Critic | Purushothama Charyulu |
Best Film Critic (Special Mention) | Subramanya Bandoor |
The Significance of National Film Awards The National Film Awards, organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, are a testament to the excellence, creativity, and societal relevance of Indian cinema. These awards acknowledge not only aesthetic and technical achievements but also the power of cinema as a medium for artistic expression and social impact.
A Historical Perspective The National Film Awards have a rich history dating back to 1954 when they were initially known as “State Awards.” In their early years, these awards exclusively recognized the best films in various regional languages. It wasn’t until 1967 that they expanded to include awards for actors and technicians. Nargis received the inaugural Best Actress Award for “Raat Aur Din,” while Uttam Kumar was honored with the Best Actor Award for “Antony Firingee” and “Chiriyakhana.”
Over the years, the National Film Awards evolved and expanded their categories. Separate awards for artists and technicians were introduced in 1968, with Nargis Dutt and Uttam Kumar becoming the first recipients of the Best Actress and Best Actor Awards, respectively.
Categories of Excellence The awards are presented in three sections: Features, Non-Features, and Best Writing on Cinema. While the Features and Non-Features sections recognize cinematic excellence across various categories, the “Best Writing on Cinema” category promotes the study, appreciation, and critical analysis of cinema through publications such as books, articles, reviews, and newspaper coverage.
Promoting Unity and Culture The National Film Awards play a crucial role in encouraging the production of films that are not only aesthetically and technically excellent but also socially relevant. These films contribute to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures within India, promoting national unity and integrity.
Distinguished Jury Selection The winners of the National Film Awards are chosen by a distinguished jury comprising individuals with significant experience in the fields of cinema and the humanities.
The 69th National Film Awards have once again recognized the outstanding talent and creativity in Indian cinema, reaffirming the industry’s role as a powerful medium for storytelling and societal impact.
