The winners of the 70th National Film Awards were unveiled at the National Media Center in New Delhi on Friday. The award ceremony, where the best Indian films from 2022 will be celebrated, is scheduled for a later date, with the President of India set to present the honors.
Films, both feature and non-feature, that received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, were eligible for this year’s awards.
The jury for the 70th edition includes prominent figures such as Rahul Rawail, Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury; Nila Madhab Panda, Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury; and Gangadhar Mudalair, Chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury.
Kantara, the Kannada folk film that resonated with audiences for its raw portrayal of tradition and mysticism, emerged as a standout, clinching the award for Best Entertaining Film.
Its lead actor and director, Rishab Shetty, took home the coveted Best Actor award, adding another feather to his already illustrious cap.
The Best Feature Film award was presented to the Malayalam film Aattam: The Play, a testament to the growing recognition of regional cinema on the national stage. The film also won Best Editing, further solidifying its place as a critical favorite.
PS -1, the Tamil historical epic, dominated several categories, including Best Sound Design, Best Cinematography, and a shared award for Best Music Director alongside Brahmastra. The grand visuals and intricate details of PS -1 were acknowledged with these wins, underscoring the film's technical brilliance.
Brahmastra, a visually stunning fantasy film, was honored with the Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comic) category.
The film's visual effects set a new benchmark in Indian cinema, and Pritam's score for the film, particularly the hit song Kesariya, won him the Best Music Director award. Arijit Singh's soulful rendition of Kesariya also earned him the Best Male Playback Singer award.
The awards celebrated talent across the spectrum, with Neena Gupta winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Uunchai and Pavan Raj Malhotra bagging the Best Supporting Actor award for Fouja.
Manoj Bajpayee received a Special Mention for his performance in Gulmohar, while Bombay Jayashri was named Best Female Playback Singer for her rendition of Chaayam Veyil in Saudi Vellakka.
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