70th National Film Awards: Rishab Shetty Triumphs as Best Actor for ‘Kantara,’ ‘Aattam’ Secures Best Feature Film
The winners of the prestigious 70th National Film Awards were unveiled today, August 16, at a press conference held by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) in New Delhi. The event celebrated the finest cinematic achievements of 2022, honouring the creative excellence and storytelling prowess of Indian filmmakers.
Marking a significant win for Kannada cinema, Rishab Shetty clinched the Best Actor award for his riveting performance in the folk action thriller, Kantara. Directed by Shetty himself, the film not only captivated audiences with its gripping narrative but also earned the title of Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
In a rare occurrence, the Best Actress award was shared between two remarkable talents. Nithya Menen was honoured for her role in the Tamil comedy-drama Thiruchitrambalam, while Manasi Parekh was recognised for her stellar performance in the Gujarati drama Kutch Express.
The Malayalam film Aattam emerged as a standout winner, sweeping the awards for Best Feature Film, Best Editing, and Best Screenplay. Directed by Anand Ekarshi, Aattam is a suspense chamber drama that has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
The Best Director accolade was awarded to Sooraj R Barjatya for his Hindi adventure drama Uunchai. The film, featuring a star-studded cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, and Boman Irani, was praised for its compelling narrative and emotional depth.
The awards recognised films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31, 2022. The winners will be felicitated in a ceremony in October 2024, where President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours. The recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, however, will be announced later, as noted by the jury today.
The feature films were judged by a distinguished panel of juries, comprising Dilip Kumar Pandey, Dr Anurag Singh, Yatindra Mishra, Subhajit Mitra, Amol Bhave, and RV Udayakumar.
In the non-feature category, Murmurs of the Jungle by Sahil Vaidya won Best Documentary, while From The Shadow earned Miriam Chandy Menacherry the Best Direction award. A Coconut Tree, directed by Joshy Benedict, was celebrated as the Best Animated Film. Other notable winners include Xunyota by Nabapan Deka for Best Short Film and Madhyantara by Basti Dinesh Shenoy for Best Debut Film of a Director.
The 70th National Film Awards once again highlight the diversity and richness of Indian cinema, celebrating stories that resonate across the nation.
The 70th National Film Awards honoured the best in Indian cinema for the year 2022. Below is the complete list of winners:
Feature Film Category:
Best Actor*: Rishab Shetty for Kantara (Kannada)
Best Actress* (Tie): Nithya Menen for Thiruchitrambalam (Tamil) and Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express (Gujarati)
Best Feature Film*: Aattam (Malayalam)
Best Director*: Sooraj R Barjatya for Uunchai (Hindi)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment*: Kantara (Kannada)
Best Editing*: Aattam (Malayalam)
Best Screenplay*: Aattam (Malayalam)
Non-Feature Film Category:
Best Documentary: Murmurs of the Jungle by Sahil Vaidya
Best Non-Feature Film Direction*: Miriam Chandy Menacherry for From The Shadow
Best Script: Koushik Sarkar for Mono No Aware
Best Narration/Voice Over*: Sumant Shinde for Murmurs Of The Jungle
Best Animated Film: A Coconut Tree by Joshy Benedict
Best Editing: Suresh URS for Madhyantara
Best Sound Design: Manas Choudhury for Yaan
Best Cinematography: Siddharth Diwan for Mono No Aware
Best Short Film: Xunyota by Nabapan Deka
Best Debut Film of a Director: Basti Dinesh Shenoy for Madhyantara
Best Non-Feature Film Music Direction: Vishal Bharadwaj for Fursat
Best Arts and Culture Film: Ranga Vibhoga by Suneel Narasimhachar Puranik and Varsa by Sachin Balasaheb Suryawanshi
Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film*: Aanaki Ek Mohenjo Daro by Ashok Rane
Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values*: On The Brink Season 2: Gharial by Akansha Sood Singh
Special Mention: Birubala by Aimee Baruah and Hargila – The Greater Adjutant Stork by Partha Sarathi Mahant
Other Awards:
Best Book On Cinema: Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and
Parthiv Dhar
Best Film Critic: Deepak Dua (Hindi)
These awards, celebrating the diverse spectrum of Indian cinema, will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony scheduled for October 2024.
