Dhanush won for Asuran, while Kangana Ranaut was awarded the honour for Panga and Manikarnika. (Photo: Instagram/Manoj Bajpayee, Kangana Ranaut and Dhanush)The 67th National Film Awards are being announced in New Delhi on Monday. The ceremony will bestow honours on films and artistes for the year 2019.
The awards were initially going to be held in May last year but were delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. The awards are given out by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation that comes under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The awards are presented by the President of India traditionally. However, for the 66th National Film Awards, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu did the honours, while President Ram Nath Kovind hosted the high tea for the winners.
That year, Gujarati period drama Hellaro was declared the Best Picture while popular actors Vicky Kaushal and Ayushmann Khurrana clinched the trophy in the Best Actor (Male) category and Keerthy Suresh took the trophy for Best Actor (Female) category.
Upon receiving the prestigious award for his performance in Andhadhun, the actor had said in a statement, “It’s truly humbling and hugely gratifying to win the coveted National Award. As an artiste, I have always tried to back disruptive content that stands out for its quality content. Today’s honour is a validation of my hard work, belief system, the journey in movies and my reason to be an actor in the first place. Over and above my personal win, I am thrilled that both the films that I have done – Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho have won at the prestigious National Awards. It again validates that people of our country want to see cinema that entertains and can be cherished.”
"Thank you and gratitude for all the love. For believing in my vision. For giving a dream named Jaya life. Dear Kangana, congratulations for the National Award. Movies are a part of life and archives. Thank you cinema lovers for the love," wrote Panga director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari on Instagram.
Nila Madhab Panda, whose Kalira Atita won the best Odiya film honour, told indianexpress.com, "It's overwhelming because this is my first Odiya film and it's such an important film of my life, so when you get a National Award it's a big thing for me. I was pretty overwhelmed. In fact, I was quite surprised."
"A film which is truly special to all of us. A film which is very close to our hearts. This one is for you Kammo," wrote Varun Sharma as he shared the news of Chhichhore's win on Instagram.
"Congratulations brother @BajpayeeManoj, I personally texted you after watching #Bhonsle, it was just awesome..u deserve it..Proud of you..Take Care," tweeted out Prosenjit Chatterjee.
"Hearty Congratulations & Best Wishes to ALL the Winners of 67th #NationalFilmAwards. Delighted that the list includes some dear friends from Tamil, Telugu & Malayalam Industries! More Power to Good Cinema!!" read a post shared by the superstar.
"Congratulations to all #NationalAwards2019 winners...Hats off to all the winning artists from our industry for making Tamil cinema proud," the filmmaker tweeted.
“When I was working on this film, I was sure that the project will be impactful and it will send the right message in society. This recognition goes on to prove that my vision was right. I’m so grateful to the director Rajesh Babbar & his team who contributed towards this amazing project. I’m from Haryana and working for the development of Haryanvi Film Industry, hence I was personally connected with the subject of this film. The project definitely deserved an award as big as this, and I feel humbled to have produced the film along with Zee Studios & Team who believed in my vision,” Satish Kaushik said on his movie Chhoriyan Chhoro Se Kam Nahi Hoti.
Best Hindi Film went to Nitesh Tiwari directorial Chhichhore. The film stars late actor Sushant Singh Rajput along with Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Sharma, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Naveen Polishetty, Tushar Pandey and Saharsh Kumar Shukla in the lead roles with Shishir Sharma and Mohammad Samad in supporting roles. CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE
“I was also the director on Manikarnika… I would like to thank our writers, Vijayendra sir, Prasoon sir, music directors Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, our producer Kamal ji (Kamal Jain), my full team, Ankita (Lokhande), Danny sir (Denzongpa) and all my co-stars. I am sorry if I don’t remember any name. These people have supported me so much that I will be forever grateful to them. Thank you everyone for making the film successful. Please share this win with me,” Kangana Ranaut said after winning the National Award for Panga and Manikarnika. She had shared the video on her Twitter page. READ MORE here.
"I feel incredibly grateful to have played the part of Derek and been a part of Chhichhore. It will always be a special film to me. Nitesh Tiwari and Sajid Nadiadwala captained this ship, and it was an ace team to have been on. The film was about never allowing society to decide if you are a winner or a loser but fighting the very notions of these labels and finding your own happiness. I feel so rewarded that we’ve been recognised by country’s highest award for the film. This definitely makes all the work that went into creating it, worth it, and the film even more special to all of us. As we celebrate our big win, today will also be a day of rememberance and gratitude for Sushant without whom this story would never have been told," Tahir said in a statement. READ MORE here.
"I am very happy and thankful to each and every one who believed in this film, who believed in me, and thankful to my director Devashish Makhija and my co-actors Santosh and Ipshita, my producers Sandeep, Saurabh, Abhayanand and Piiyush. From the deepest of my heart feeling thankful to each and everyone who has supported this film and supported me. I really think, this is not an award for me but for all of those guys who backed the film. Bhonsle completed its journey with this National Award, I am only feeling thankful and nothing else," Manoj Bajpayee said after receiving the award. This is his third National Award win.
After Chhichhore won the Best Hindi Film, Nitesh Tiwari told indianexpress.com, "It comes as a pleasant surprise actually. We weren't expecting it at all. We are filled with mixed emotions because on one hand there is the happiness of getting a win and on the other hand there's the feeling of loss of someone I was very close to. But I am sure Sushant would be very happy with this win wherever he is."
"It is a moment of great happiness and honour for us that The Taskent Files has gone to National Awards which is the most prestigious award of the country and for me it is a matter of great honour because this film was stuck for a long time and everybody's complaint was that this film won't work because it has no screenplay, and it has too many dialogues, and finally the film has won the National Award for the best screenplay- dialogue writing, and I am really happy for that. Pallavi's award is so well deserving, she was amazing in that film, very exceptional acting she did. Above all, I dedicate this award to Shri Lalbahadur Shashtri ji," Vivek Agnihotri told indianexpress.com.
Sanjay Puran Singh, who won the best director award for Bahattar Hoorain, told indianexpress.com, "This is my second National Award. For Lahore, I had won the best debutante director award in 2009. There's still some time for this news to sink in! But I am extremely happy, overwhelmed in fact. Honestly, the competition was so tough. After all it is the National Award. So, I was hoping that we would get at least something but the best director honour? I didn't imagine that."
"I am so happy for Abhijeet Warang, my friend, for his first national award that too for his debut directorial, I have experienced the same, I won the award for my debut film, and it is a fantastic feeling. I am so happy I could be a part of such a fantastic film with such a simple storyline that won many hearts, and now the National Award too. Very proud of this special film," actor Prasad Oak, who has featured in Picasso, told indianexpress.com. Picasso has received a special mention in the Non-Feature film category.
"When I heard Vivek's name in best dialogues for The Taskent Files, I screamed in excitement, and then came my name, I wasn't expecting it, but this is such a great honour. Very proud of the film, of Vivek, and it has been a fulfilling journey getting back on screen, this is like the biggest validation,” Pallavi Joshi told indianexpress.com upon winning Best Supporting Actress.
Best Action Direction: Avane Srimannarayana (Kannada)
Best Choreography: Maharishi (Telugu)
Best Special Effects: Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (Malayalam)
Special Jury Award: Oththa Seruppu Size 7 (Tamil)
Best Lyrics: Prabha Varma for Kolaambi (Malayalam)
Best Music Direction: D. Imman for Viswasam (Tamil)
Best Background Music: Prabuddha Banerjee for Jyeshthoputro (Bengali)
Best Make-up Artist: Ranjith for Helen (Malayalam)
Best Costumes: Sujith and Sai for Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (Malayalam)
Best Production Design: Anandi Gopal (Marathi)
Best Editing: Jersey (Telugu)
Best Audiography: Iewduh (Khasi)
Best Audiography (Re-recordist of final mixed track): Oththa Seruppu Size 7 (Tamil)
Best Screenplay (Original): Jyeshthoputro (Bengali)
Best Screenplay (Adapted): Gumnaami (Bengali)
Best Screenplay (Dialogues): The Tashkent Files (Hindi)
Best Cinematography: Jallikattu (Malayalam)
Best Female Playback Singer: Savani Ravindra for Bardo (Marathi)
Best Child Artist: Naga Vishal for KD (Tamil)
Best Direction: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan for Bahattar Hoorain (Hindi)
Best Children's Film: Kastoori (Hindi)
Best Film on Environment : Water Burial (Monpa)
Best Film on Social Issues: Anandi Gopal (Marathi)
Best Film on National Integration: Tajmahal (Marathi)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Maharishi (Telugu)
Best Debut Film of a Director: Mathukutty Xavier for Helen (Malayalam)
Best Feature Film: Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (Malayalam)
Marakkar Lion of the Arabian Sea
Best film -- Jersey (Telugu), Best Screenplay Adapted -- Gumnami, Best Cinematography -- Jallikattu, Best Male Playback Singer -- B Praak, Best Supporting Actress -- Pallavi Joshi, Best Supporting Actor -- Vijay Sethupathi, Best Actress -- Kangana Ranaut (Manikarnika and Panga), Best Actor -- Manoj Bajpayee (Bhosle) and Dhanush (Tamil)
Spl mention Biryani (Malayalam), Jonaki Porua (Assamese), Lata Bhagwan Kare (Marathi), Picasso (Marathi). Best Tulu film -- Pingara, Mishing -- Anu Ruwad, Best Khasi film -- Iewduh, Best Haryanvi film -- Choriyaan Choro se Kam Nai Hoti, Best Chattisgrahi film -- Bhulan the Maze, Best Telugu film -- Jersey, Best Tamil film -- Asuran, Best Punjabi film -- Rab Da Radio 2, Best Odiya film -- Sala Budhar Badla and Kalira Atita, Best Manipuri film -- Eigi Kona, Best Malayalam film -- Kalla Nottam, Best Marathi film -- Bardo, Best Konkani film -- Kaajro, Best Kannada film -- Akshi, Best Hindi film -- Chhichhore, Best Bengali film -- Gumnami, Best Assamese film -- Ronuwa Who Never Surrenders.
Filmmaker N Chandra announces winners in Feature Film category.
Audiography (musical) -- Radha, On Location Sound Recordist -- Rahas, Best Cinematography -- Savita Singh for Sonsi, Best Direction -- Knock Knock Knock, Best Film on Family Values -- Oruu Pathira, Best Short Fiction -- Custody, Special Jury Award -- Small Scale Values. Best Animation -- Radha, Best Investigative -- Jakkal, Best Exploration film -- Wild Karnataka, Best Education film -- Apples and Oranges, Best Film on Social Issues -- Holy Rites (Hindi) and Ladli (Hindi). Best Environment Film -- The Stork Saviours, Best Promotional film -- The Shower, Best Arts and Culture Film -- Shrikshetra-Ru-Sahijata . Best Biographical Film -- Elephants do Remember, Best Ethnographic Film -- Charan-Atva, Best Debut Non-Feature film Director -- Khisa, Best Non-Feature Film -- An Engineered Dream.
This was given to Arjun Saraya.
Arun Chaddha announces Non-Feature film award. Best Voice-over/Narrration was given to Sir David Attenborough for Wild Karnataka.
Best Film Critic was won by Sohini Chattopadhyay.
Saibal Chatterjee announces the winner for National Award Book (special mentions) was given to the Marathi book The Man who Watches Cinema by Ashok Rane. The second winner was Kannada Cinema: Jagathika Cinema by PR Ramadasa Naidu. The Best Book was conferred upon Sanjay Suri's A Gandhian Affair: India's Curious Portrayal of Love in Cinema.
Shaji N Karun announces the award for most film friendly state, won by Sikkim.
The awards were initially going to be held in May last year but were delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. The awards are given out by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation that comes under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.