Suriya in Soorarai Pottru. (polite: YouTube)
New Delhi:
The winners of the 68th National Film Awards have been announced in New Delhi. The Best Actor Award of the Year will be split between Suriya and Ajay Devgn for their work in the film. Soorarai Pottru and Tanhaji: Silent Warrior corresponding. This is Suriya’s first national award and Ajay Devgn’s third – he won Best Actor for his 1998 film Zakhm and in 2002 Legend of Bhagat Singh.Soorarai PottruBased on events in the life of G Gopinath, founder of Simplifly Deccan, also won Best Feature Film, Best Actress for Aparna Balamurali, Best Screenplay and Best Background Score. Tanhajihistorical drama about legendary Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, which won Best Popularity Film, provides wholesome entertainment.
Malayalam horror movies Ayyappanum Koshiyum won two major awards – KR Sachidanandan, known professionally as Sachy, won Best Director afterwards, and Biju Menon won Best Supporting Actor. Sachy died of cardiac arrest in 2020 at the age of 47.
Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her work in Sivaranjaniyum Innum Sila Pengalum The film also won Best Tamil Film as well as Best Editing.
Toolsidas Junior was awarded Best Hindi Film with special jury mention for child actor Varun Buddhadev.
Dollu won Best Kannada Film and Best Place Sound. Avijatrik won Best Bengali Film and Best Cinematography.
Color photo won Best Telugu Film, Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam Won the Best Malayalam Film Award.
Madhya Pradesh was selected as the Most Cinema-Friendly State with Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh receiving special mentions.
This year’s feature film jury is headed by filmmaker Vipul Shah; Awards are announced by jury member and cinematographer Dharam Gulati.
The National Film Awards will be presented later this year.
Here is the full list of winners:
HIGHLIGHTS MOVIES:
Best feature films: Soorarai Pottru
Best Direction: Sachy, Ayyappanum Koshiyum
Best Actress: Aparna Balamurali, Soorarai Pottru
Best Actor: Suriya, Soorarai Pottru and Ajay Devgn for Tanhaji: Silent Warrior
Best Supporting Actress: Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli, Sivaranjaniyum Innum Sila Pengalum
Best Supporting Actor: Biju Menon, AK Ayyappanum Koshiyum
Best Telugu Movies: Color photo
Best Tamil movies: Sivaranjaniyum Innum Sila Pengallum
Best Malayalam movies: Thinkalazcha Nishchayam
Best Marathi movies: Gostha Eka Paithanichi
Best Kannada movies: Dollu
Best Hindi movies: Toolsidas Junior
Best Bengali movies: Avijatrik
Best Assamese movies: Bridge
Special mention: Vaanku (Malayalam), June (Marathi), Avwanchhit (Marathi), Godakaath (Marathi),Toolsidas Junior (Hindi)
Best Tulu movies: Jeetige
Best Haryanvi movies: Dada Lakhmi
Best Diimasa movies: Semkhor
Best course of action: AK Ayyappanum Koshiyum
Best Choreographer: Natyam (Telugu)
Best lyrics: Saina
Best music direction: Ala Vaikunthapurramulo (The song): Thaman WILL
(Basic point): Soorarai Pottru
Best makeup: Natyam
Best production design: Kappela
Best edit: Sivaranjaniyum Innum Sila Pengallum
The best audiophile sound: Dollu
Best scenario: Soorarai Pottru
Best narrator: Mandela
Best Cinematography: Avijatrik (The Wanderlust of Apu)
Best Female Playback Vocalist: Nanchamma, AK Ayyappanum Koshiyum
Best Male Vocalist: Rahul Deshpande, Mi Vasantrao
Best movies about environmental conservation: Manah Aru Manuh (Assam)
The most movie-friendly state: Madhya Pradesh
MOVIES NOT HIGHLIGHTS
Best narration: Rhapsody of Rains – Monsoons of Kerala
Best edit: Borderlands
The best audiophile sound: Dollu
Best spot recorders: Magical forest
Best Cinematography: Shabdikkunna Kalappa
Best direction: Oh It’s Bhanu
Best movies about family values: Kumkumarchan
Best Fiction Short Film: Kachichinithu
Special Jury Prize: Admit
Best investigative movies: Savior: Brig. Pritam Singh
Best Discovery Movie: Roll the ball
Best educational movies: Dreaming of words
Best movies about social issues: Justice delayed but delivered
Best environmental movies: Manah Aru Manuh
Best commercials: Crossing Challenge
Best Art and Culture Film: Naadada Navaneeta DR PT Venkateshkumar
Best biopic: Pabung Syam
Best Ethnographic Film: Mandal ke Bol
Best non-story movies: Ana’s testimony
Best non-story film by a director: Pariah
Best books on cinema: The longest kissby Kishwar Desai
