The 70th National Film Awards have been announced, and Indian cinema is once again in the spotlight. Held at the National Media Center in New Delhi, this year’s announcements recognize the finest films and performances from 2022, showcasing the diversity and richness of Indian cinema. The awards ceremony, where the winners will be formally honored by the President, will be scheduled for a later date. This blog provides a comprehensive overview of the winners, notable trends, and the significance of these awards.
Highlights of the 70th National Film Awards
The National Film Awards, established in 1954, are among India’s most prestigious film accolades. They celebrate excellence across feature and non-feature films, recognizing talent and innovation in the Indian film industry. Here’s a rundown of the key winners for 2022:
Feature Film Categories:
- Best Feature Film: Aattam
- Best Actor: Rishab Shetty for Kantara
- Best Actress: Nithya Menen for Tiruchitrabalam and Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express
- Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya for Uunchai
- Best Supporting Actress: Neena Gupta for Uunchai
- Best Supporting Actor: Pawan Malhotra for Fouja
- Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kantara
- Best Debut Film: Fouja by Pramod Kumar
- Best Telugu Film: Karthikeya 2
- Best Tamil Film: Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1
- Best Punjabi Film: Baaghi Di Dhee
- Best Odia Film: Daman
- Best Malayalam Film: Saudi Velakka CC.225/2009
- Best Marathi Film: Vaalvi
- Best Kannada Film: KGF: Chapter 2
- Best Hindi Film: Gulmohar
- Best Tiwa Film: Sikaisal
- Best Bengali Film: Kaberi Antardhan
- Best Assamese Film: Emuthi Puthi
A Look Back at Recent Awards
The 70th National Film Awards follow a gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the ceremony by two years. The 69th National Film Awards, held in 2023, honored films from 2021, with Rocketry winning Best Feature Film, and Allu Arjun taking home the Best Actor award. The 68th edition saw Soorarai Pottru as Best Feature Film and the late Sachy awarded Best Director for Ayyappanum Koshiyum.
The Legacy of the National Film Awards
Founded in 1954, the National Film Awards are overseen by the Directorate of Film Festivals. The awards have a rich history, with the Marathi film Shyamchi Aai being the first-ever Best Feature Film winner. The most awarded film remains Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan, which garnered eight awards in 2002. In addition to honoring the best films and performances, the National Film Awards also celebrate lifetime achievements with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Last year’s recipient was the legendary actress Waheeda Rehman.
The Significance of This Year’s Winners
The winners of the 70th National Film Awards reflect the vibrant and diverse landscape of Indian cinema. From the critically acclaimed Aattam to the popular KGF: Chapter 2, and the multiple accolades for Kantara, this year’s awards highlight the blend of artistic innovation and commercial success. The recognition of talents like Rishab Shetty and Nithya Menen underscores the growing prominence of regional cinema in the national arena.