Key Winners
The ceremony recognized standout films and performances, with Aattam taking home the award for Best Film. Rishab Shetty won Best Actor for his compelling performance in Kantara, while Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh were both awarded Best Actress for their roles in Thiruchitrambalam and Kutch Express, respectively. In a special highlight, Mithun Chakraborty received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
President Droupadi Murmu confers #DadasahebPhalkeAward, India's highest film honour to Actor #MithunChakraborty. @MIB_India @nfdcindia @Films_Division @rashtrapatibhvn #NationalFilmAwards2024 #NFAWithDD #NFA #70thNationalFilmAwards #DiscoDancer #MithunDa pic.twitter.com/vPysrpWV7N
— DD News (@DDNewslive) October 8, 2024
Other notable winners included:
- Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya for Uunchai
- Best Film in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics: Brahmastra Part 1
- Best Child Artist: Sreepath P.K for Malikappuram
- Best Music Direction (Background): A.R. Rahman for Ponniyin Selvan Part 1
#WATCH | 70th National Film Awards | Rishab Shetty awarded the Best Actor in Leading Role for his performance in the movie 'Kantara'
(Video source: DD News/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/YMStTzDyDz
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2024
#WATCH | Delhi | Music composer AR Rahman given the 'Best Music Direction (Background score)' award for the film 'Ponniyin Selvan: Part I' at the 70th National Film Awards
This is AR Rahman's seventh National Film Award
(Video source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/zRMY0HTYFz
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2024
#WATCH | On winning the National Award for Best Actress in Leading Role for the 2022 film Thiruchitrambalam, actor Nithya Menen says, "It feels wonderful and is very special. It is a very important moment in our lives as artists… I would like to dedicate the award to my… pic.twitter.com/iqXCaAi9zw
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2024
#WATCH | Delhi | On his film 'Gulmohar' to be given the Best Hindi Film award at the 70th National Film Awards today, Actor Manoj Bajpayee says, "It is a huge thing when such a small film makes its presence felt at National film award…Sharmila ji (Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore)… pic.twitter.com/n71oqZruQl
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2024
Recognizing Diversity
President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the importance of diversity in the film industry during her address at the ceremony. She called for greater representation of women, highlighting that only 15 out of the 85 awardees this year were female. This call to action underscores the need for continued efforts to promote inclusivity in a field that has historically seen gender disparities.
Complete List of Winners
The National Film Awards covered a broad spectrum of categories, celebrating various aspects of filmmaking. Here are some additional noteworthy mentions:
- Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: Kutch Express
- Best Cinematography: Ravi Varman for Ponniyin Selvan Part 1
- Best Music Direction (Songs): Pritam for Brahmastra Part 1
In regional categories, films like Sikaisal (Tiwa), Karthikeya 2 (Telugu), and Daman (Odia) were recognized for their excellence.
Special Awards and Non-Feature Film Category
The ceremony also honored special contributions to cinema, with Manoj Bajpayee receiving a Special Mention for Gulmohar. The non-feature film category highlighted various talents, with Ayena winning Best Non-Feature Film and The Coconut Tree awarded Best Animated Film.
Final Thoughts
The 70th National Film Awards not only celebrated the achievements of the past year but also served as a reminder of the evolving narrative within the Indian film industry. As filmmakers and artists continue to push boundaries, the awards stand testament to the rich and diverse storytelling that characterizes Indian cinema today.