The prestigious 70th National Film Awards were officially announced on Monday, honoring the exceptional talents and achievements in the Indian film industry for the year 2022. These awards celebrate the best films and cinematic contributions from across the country, recognizing the efforts of actors, directors, and crew members who have made significant impacts on the art of filmmaking. This year, the awards saw fierce competition, with movies like Brahmastra Part 1, Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, and Aattam taking home some of the top honors.
The winners of these coveted awards will receive their accolades at a grand ceremony that will be held later this year, where the President of India will present them with their trophies. The 70th National Film Awards jury, consisting of esteemed industry professionals, was chaired by Rahul Rawail for the Feature Film category, Nila Madhab Panda for the Non-Feature Film category, and Gangadhar Mudalair for Best Writing on Cinema.
The following is a breakdown of the key categories and winners:
The Malayalam film Aattam emerged as the Best Film, standing out among its peers for its powerful storytelling and cinematic excellence.
Fouja, a Haryanvi film, was recognized as the Best Debut Film, showcasing the promising talent of emerging filmmakers.
Kantara, a Kannada film, was awarded for offering wholesome entertainment, captivating audiences with its unique narrative.
Kutch Express, a Gujarati film, won for its commendable efforts in promoting national, social, and environmental values.
Brahmastra Part 1, the Hindi blockbuster, was lauded for its groundbreaking achievements in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC).
Veteran filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya was honored as the Best Director for his work in the Hindi film Uunchai, adding another accolade to his illustrious career.
Best Actor in Leading Role: Nithya Menen for Thiruchitrambalam (Tamil), Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express (Gujarati), and Rishab Shetty for Kantara (Kannada)
Nithya Menen, Manasi Parekh, and Rishab Shetty were all awarded Best Actor in a Leading Role for their outstanding performances in their respective films.
Neena Gupta and Pavan Raj Malhotra were recognized for their exceptional supporting roles, adding depth and nuance to their films.
Sreepath's portrayal in Malikappuram earned him the Best Child Artiste award, showcasing his impressive acting abilities at a young age.
The high-octane action sequences in KGF Chapter 2 were choreographed by Anbariv, earning them the Best Action Direction award.
The choreographers behind Thiruchitrambalam's hit song "Megham Karukatha" were celebrated for their inventive dance moves.
Naushad Sadar Khan's poignant lyrics in the song "Salaami" from Fouja resonated with audiences, securing him the Best Lyrics award.
Best Music Direction: Pritham (songs) for Brahmastra Part 1 (Hindi) and AR Rahman (background music) for Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 (Tamil)
Music maestros Pritham and AR Rahman were honored for their musical genius in Brahmastra Part 1 and Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, respectively.
Somnath Kundu's makeup artistry in Aparajito was recognized for its authenticity and creativity, winning him the Best Makeup award.
Niki Joshi's exquisite costume designs in Kutch Express captured the cultural essence of the film, earning her the Best Costume Design award.
The intricate and realistic sets of Aparajito, designed by Ananda Addhya, were awarded Best Production Design.
The sharp and precise editing of Aattam by Mahesh Bhuvanend contributed significantly to the film's narrative flow, winning him the Best Editing award.
Anand Krishnamoorthi's impeccable sound design in Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 elevated the film's auditory experience, earning him the Best Sound Design award.
The engaging screenplay of Aattam and the compelling dialogues of Gulmohar were recognized for their contribution to the films' success.
Ravi Varman's stunning cinematography in Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 captured the film's epic scale and visual grandeur.
Best Playback Singer: Bombay Jayshree for Saudi Vellakka CC 225/2009 (Malayalam) and Arijit Singh for Brahmastra Part 1 (Hindi)
Bombay Jayshree and Arijit Singh were honored for their soulful renditions in their respective films, winning them the Best Playback Singer awards.
The 70th National Film Awards also recognized excellence in regional cinema, highlighting the diversity and richness of Indian films across different languages:
Best Tiwa Film: Sikaisal
Best Telugu Film: Karthikeya 2
Best Tamil Film: Ponniyin Selvan Part 1
Best Punjabi Film: Baghi Di Dhee
Best Odia Film: Daman
Best Malayalam Film: Saudi Vellakka CC 225/2009
Best Marathi Film: Vaalvi
Best Kannada Film: KGF Chapter 2
Best Hindi Film: Gulmohar
Best Bengali Film: Kaberi Antardhan
Best Assamese Film: Emuthi Puthi
The awards also included special mentions and non-feature categories, highlighting various contributions to the world of cinema:
Special Mention: Manoj Bajpayee (actor) for Gulmohar (Hindi)
Best Non-Feature Film: Ayena
Best Debut Film in Non-Feature: Madhyantara
Best Biographical/Historical/Compilation Film: Aanakhi Ek Mohenjo Daro
Best Arts/Culture Film: Ranga Vibhoga/Varsa
Best Script: Mono No Aware
Best Narrator: Murmurs of the Jungle
Best Music Direction: Fursat
Best Editing: Madhyantara
Best Sound Design: Yaan
Best Cinematography: Mono No Aware
Best Direction: From the Shadow
Best Short Film: Xunyota
Best Animated Film: The Coconut Tree
Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values: On the Brink Season 2 – Gharial
Best Documentary: Murmurs of the Jungle
The awards also celebrated contributions to film writing, with Deepak Dua being named the Best Critic and the book Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography winning Best Book on Cinema.