On Thursday, August 24, 2023, the National Media Center in New Delhi revealed the winners of the 69th National Film Awards. These awards recognize the pinnacle of Indian cinema for the year 2021. A ceremony is anticipated where the President will honour the best Indian films across languages. All films in contention were certified by the CBFC between January 1 and December 31, 2021. Dive in for more on the major awards and highlights from the event.
Best Feature Film: Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, directed by R. Madhavan and produced by Tricolour Films and Varghese Moolan Pictures, won the award for Best Feature Film. The movie is a biopic that delves into the life of Nambi Narayanan, an ex-scientist and aerospace engineer from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He faced false espionage charges and was detained in 1994. The film portrays his struggle to prove his innocence and restore his reputation. R. Madhavan also played the lead role of Nambi Narayanan, while Simran Bagga, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra and Misha Ghoshal played supporting roles.
Best Popular Film: RRR
RRR, directed by S.S. Rajamouli and produced by D.V.V. Danayya under DVV Entertainment, won the award for the Best Popular Film providing wholesome entertainment. The film is a fictional story set in the 1920s pre-independence era, revolving around two legendary freedom fighters, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, played by Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao Jr., respectively. The film also stars Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Olivia Morris, Samuthirakani and Ray Stevenson in pivotal roles. The film is known for its spectacular action sequences and visual effects.
Best Feature Film on National Integration: The Kashmir Files
The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Pallavi Joshi under I Am Buddha Production, won the Nargis Dutt Award for the Best Feature Film on National Integration. The film is a thriller based on the true events of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in 1990. The film follows a journalist, played by Mithun Chakraborty, who investigates the truth behind the mass displacement of the minority community. The film also features Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mrinal Kulkarni, Darshan Kumar and Prakash Belawadi in significant roles.
Best Actor: Allu Arjun for Pushpa: The Rise
Allu Arjun won the award for Best Actor for his performance in Pushpa: The Rise, directed by Sukumar and produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers. The film is an action thriller set in the backdrop of red sanders smuggling in the Seshachalam forests of Andhra Pradesh. Allu Arjun plays Pushpa Raj, a lorry driver who gets entangled in a web of crime and corruption. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Rao Ramesh and Sunil in key roles.
Best Actress: Kriti Sanon for Mimi & Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi
Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the award for Best Actress for their respective roles in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi. Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bhansali Productions and Pen India Limited, is a biographical drama based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Alia Bhatt plays Gangubai Kothewali, a brothel owner and matriarch who rose from being a victim of sexual exploitation to becoming a powerful figure in Mumbai’s underworld. The film also stars Ajay Devgn, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz and Seema Pahwa in supporting roles.
Mimi, directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films and Jio Studios, is a comedy-drama inspired by the 2011 Marathi film Mala Aai Vhhaychy. Kriti Sanon plays Mimi Rathore, a young aspiring actress who agrees to be a surrogate mother for an American couple in exchange for money. However, things take an unexpected turn when the couple abandons her midway through her pregnancy. The film also stars Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar, Manoj Pahwa and Supriya Pathak in prominent roles.
Conclusion
The 69th National Film Awards 2023 celebrated the excellence and diversity of Indian cinema in the year 2021. The awards recognised the achievements of films and talents across various genres, languages and themes. The awards also honoured the stories and characters that inspired, entertained and enlightened the audiences. The awards ceremony was a grand event that showcased the glory and glamour of the Indian film industry. Kudos to all the nominees and winners for their exceptional contributions!
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