The 70th National Film Awards ceremony celebrated the brilliance of Indian cinema, with notable personalities from the film industry being recognized for their exceptional contributions. The event, held under the aegis of President Draupadi Murmu, witnessed legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty being honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, a lifetime achievement accolade in Indian cinema. In addition, the Best Actor Award went to Kannada film sensation Rishabh Shetty for his stellar performance in the movie ‘Kantara’. The National Film Awards acknowledge films certified by the Censor Board within the timeline of January 1 to December 31, 2022, shining a spotlight on cinematic excellence across various languages.
Mithun Chakraborty: A Journey of Resilience
Despite attending the ceremony with a plaster on his hand, Mithun Chakraborty’s spirit remained unbroken. The evening featured a delightful montage celebrating his illustrious film career, culminating in a heartfelt moment as he was called to the stage. With the assistance of his aide, he gracefully accepted the shawl and commendation from the President, earning a standing ovation at Vigyan Bhawan. Overwhelmed with emotion, Mithun shared, “With the blessings of all of you, I have once again reached this stage. I have not achieved anything easily; I have struggled a lot. After receiving this award today, I have stopped complaining. Thank God, he has given me everything back with interest.” He encouraged aspiring artists, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, even in the face of financial challenges. “Even if you don’t have money, don’t lose hope. Keep dreaming. Sleep, but don’t let your dreams sleep,” he remarked.
Rishabh Shetty: A Star Shines Bright
Kannada film powerhouse Rishabh Shetty took home the Best Actor award for his mesmerizing portrayal in ‘Kantara’. The film not only captured the hearts of audiences but also secured its place in the annals of cinema history. Meanwhile, the Malayalam film ‘Aattam’ was recognized as the Best Feature Film. Sharing the Best Actress honor were Nithya Menen and Mansi Parekh for their performances in ‘Kutch Express’ and ‘Tiruchitrabalam’, respectively. The esteemed title of Best Director was awarded to Sooraj Barjatya for his work in ‘Unchai’, showcasing a vibrant diversity in storytelling and direction within Indian cinema.
Highlighting Outstanding Contributions
The evening recognized several other remarkable achievements, including the Best Entertaining Feature Film award going to ‘Kantara’ and a Special Mention Award for Manoj Bajpayee’s compelling performance in ‘Gulmohar’. The title of Best Child Artist was awarded to Sripath for his performance in the Malayalam film ‘Mallikapuram’. In the language categories, ‘Gulmohar’ was named Best Feature Film (Hindi), ‘Karthikeya 2’ Best Feature Film (Telugu), and ‘Ponniyan Selvan Part 1’ Best Feature Film (Tamil).
Celebrating Musical Excellence and More
Music played a significant part in the awards, with Vishal Bhardwaj being recognized as the Best Music Director for the non-feature film ‘Fursat’. The delightful Padmashree awardee Bombay Jayashree won the Best Playback Singer award for her enchanting rendition of ‘Chayyum Veyil’ from ‘Saudi Vellaka CC’. Veteran cinematographer Ravi Varman garnered accolades for his work in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, while AR Rahman also received the Best Music Director award for ‘Ponniyan Selvan-Part 1’, highlighting the music industry’s richness. Pritam earned the Best Music Director recognition for ‘Brahmastra-Part 1’, further underscoring the remarkable talent of Indian composers.
Additional Honors in Cinema
‘Kutch Express’ was awarded for Best Feature Film promoting national, social, and environmental values. Furthermore, ‘Brahmastra’ was recognized as the Best Film in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics. Deepik Dua was named Best Film Critic for their insightful contributions to film analysis, and Anirudh Bhattacharya received the Best Book on Cinema award for his work ‘Kishore Kumar – The Ultimate Biography’. Lastly, ‘Aaina’ was honored as the Best Non-Feature Film, rounding out a night that celebrated the rich tapestry of Indian cinema.
