The 69th National Film Awards ceremony took place this week. It honored some of the top performers, including actors Alia Bhatt, Allu Arjun, and Kriti Sanon, of Indian cinema.
The ceremony is running a year behind its schedule due to pandemic-related delays. Nevertheless, it celebrated the best of Indian cinema of 2021 and took place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The Press Information Bureau live-streamed the entire ceremony on its social media channels.
Alia Bhatt awarded for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti Sanon for Mimi at the National Film Awards 2023
Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award for his film Pushpa: The Rise while Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon, shared the award for Best Actress for their films, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi respectively. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect won the award for Best Feature Film. The National Film Awards honored The Kashmir Files with the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration.
Shoojit Sircar’s historical drama Sardar Udham also won several awards. From being the Best Hindi Film to the Best Cinematography, Best Audiography, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design, the film won big. They presented the legendary actress Waheeda Rehman with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honor.
Alia Bhatt, who was accompanied by husband Ranbir Kapoor, described her National Film Award win as a “pinch me moment.” On the red carpet, the actress expressed, “The only word on my forehead today is gratitude.” Meanwhile, Kriti Sanon, who shared the Best Actress award with Alia, also expressed her feelings. She felt “blessed and fortunate” to have been able to play such a layered role and that “it felt right” even before she began filming.
Allu Arjun, who received the Best Actor award, said that winning for a commercial film was a “double achievement.” R. Madhavan, who collected the Best Feature Film for Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, said, “My God, it’s been worth it.”
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur discussed the honor when veteran actor Waheeda Rehman received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He posted, “I extend my heartfelt wishes to Waheeda Rehman ji on being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Your career spanning over 5 glorious decades enriched the Indian Film industry, and portrayed classic roles which are now part of film history. The country is honoured to have witnessed a talent of your stature as part of our rich film heritage.”
