The winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced at the National Media Center in New Delhi. The 69th National Film Awards took center stage, unveiling a constellation of talented winners who have left an indelible mark on India’s cinematic landscape. These awards are recognized as one of the highest honors in the field of film-making, serve as an evident to the dedication and creativity of individuals who contribute to the nation’s rich cinematic tapestry. President Droupadi Murmu has confered the 69th National Film Awards 2023 on 17 October at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Earlier in August this year, the winners’ names were announced.
Allu Arjun was honored with the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance in the 2021 film “Pushpa: The Rise.” Alia Bhatt, who jointly received the National Award for her role in “Gangubai Kathiawadi” along with Kriti Sanon, graced the ceremony in the company of her husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor.
The 2023 National Film Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in the Indian film industry, recognizing the exceptional talent and creativity across various categories.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Rocketry |
| Best Director | Nikhil Mahajan, Godavari |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | RRR |
| Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration | The Kashmir Files |
| Best Actor | Allu Arjun, Pushpa |
| Best Actress | Alia Bhatt, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti Sanon, Mimi |
| Best Supporting Actor | Pankaj Tripathi, Mimi |
| Best Supporting Actress | Pallavi Joshi, The Kashmir Files |
| Best Child Artist | Bhavin Rabari, Chhello Show |
| Best Screenplay (Original) | Shahi Kabir, Nayattu |
| Best Screenplay (Adapted) | Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Utkarshini Vashishtha, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Dialogue Writer | Utkarshini Vashishtha & Prakash Kapadia, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Music Director (Songs) | Devi Sri Prasad, Pushpa |
| Best Music Direction (Background Music) | MM Keeravaani, RRR |
| Best Male Playback Singer | Kaala Bhairava, RRR |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shreya Ghoshal, Iravin Nizhal |
| Best Lyrics | Chandrabose, Konda Polam’s Dham Dham Dham |
| Best Hindi Film | Sardar Udham |
| Best Kannada Film | 777 Charlie |
| Best Malayalam Film | Home |
| Best Gujarati Film | Chhello Show |
| Best Tamil Film | Kadaisi Vivasayi |
| Best Telugu Film | Uppena |
| Best Maithili Film | Samanantar |
| Best Mishing Film | Boomba Ride |
| Best Marathi Film | Ekda Kaay Zala |
| Best Bengali Film | Kalkokkho |
| Best Assamese Film | Anur |
| Best Meiteilon Film | Eikhoigi Yum |
| Best Odia Film | Pratikshya |
| Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director | Meppadiyan, Vishnu Mohan |
| Best Film on Social Issues | Anunaad – The Resonance |
| Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation | Aavasavyuham |
| Best Children’s Film | Gandhi and Co |
| Best Audiography (Location Sound Recordist) | Arun Asok & Sonu K P, Chavittu |
| Best Audiography (Sound Designer) | Aneesh Basu, Jhilli |
| Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track) | Sinoy Joseph, Sardar Udham |
| Best Choreography | Prem Rakshith, RRR |
| Best Cinematography | Avik Mukhopadhayay, Sardar Udham |
| Best Costume Designer | Veera Kapur Ee, Sardar Udham |
| Best Special Effects | Srinivas Mohan, RRR |
| Best Production Design | Dmitrii Malich and Mansi Dhruv Mehta, Sardar Udham |
| Best Editing | Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Makeup | Preetisheel Singh, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Stunt Choreography | King Soloman, RRR |
| Special Jury Award | Shershaah, Vishnuvardhan |
| Special Mention | 1. Late Shri Nallandi, Kadaisi Vivasayi 2. Aranya Gupta & Bithan Biswas, Jhilli 3. Indrans, Home 4. Jahanara Begum, Anur |
| Best Non-feature film | Ek Tha Gaon |
| Best Direction (Non-feature film) | Bakul Matiyani, Smile Please |
| Best Debut Non-Feature Film of a Director | Paanchika, Ankit Kothari |
| Best Anthropological Film | Fire on Edge |
| Best Biographical Film | Rukhu Matir Dukhu Majhi and Beyond Blast |
| Best Arts Films | T.N. Krishnan Bow Strings to Divine |
| Best Science & Technology Films | Ethos of Darkness |
| Best Promotional Film | Endangered Heritage ‘Warli Art’ |
| Best Environment Film (Non-feature film) | Munnam Valavu |
| Best Film on Social Issues (Non-feature film) | Mithu Di and Three Two One |
| Best Investigative Film | Looking For Challan |
| Best Exploration Film | Ayushman |
| Best Educational Film | Sirpigalin Sirpangal |
| Best Short Fiction Film | Dal Bhat |
| Best Animation Film | Kandittundu |
| Best Film on Family Values | Chand Saanse |
| Best Cinematography (Non-feature film) | Bittu Rawat, Pataal |
| Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track) (Non-feature film) | Unni krishnan, Ek Tha Gaon |
| Best Production Sound Recordist (Location/Sync Sound) (Non-feature film) | Suruchi Sharma, Meen Raag |
| Best Editing (Non-feature film) | Abhro Banerjee, If Memory Serves Me Right |
| Best Music Direction (Non-feature film) | Ishaan Divecha, Succelent |
| Best Narration/Voice Over (Non-feature film) | Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee, Hathibondhu |
| Special Mention (Non-feature film) | 1. Aniruddha Jatkar, Baale Bangara, 2. Srikanth Deva, Karuvarai, 3. Sweta Kumar Das, The Healing Touch, 4. Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Ek Duaa |
| Special Jury Award (Non-feature film) | Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe, Rekha |
| Best Book on Cinema | Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal: The Incredibly Melodious Journey by Rajiv Vijayakar |
| Best Film Critic | Purushothama Charyulu |
| Best Film Critic (Special Mention) | Subramanya Bandoor |
The National Film Awards, held annually, stand as a beacon of honor in the stream of Indian cinema. The National Film Awards are organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals, under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. They celebrate films that exhibit not only aesthetic and technical excellence but also social relevance, signifying the power of cinema as a medium of both art and impact.
Established in 1954, the National Film Awards is a highly prestigious and eagerly anticipated event in India. The President of India presents these awards, and it includes a public screening of the winning films.
Since its inception in 1954, the National Film Awards have evolved significantly. Originally known as ‘State Awards,’ they featured two President’s Gold Medals, two certificates of merit, and silver medals for about twelve regional films. Initially, the Regional Best Award was given to the National Best Film itself. However, over time, the number of awards has grown.
In 1968, separate awards were introduced for artists and technicians, starting with the films of 1967. Nargis Dutt and Uttam Kumar were the first recipients of the Best Actress (then called Urvashi) and Best Actor (then called Bharat) Awards, respectively.
These awards are presented in three categories: Features, Non-Features, and Best Writing on Cinema. Recognizing excellence in various cinematic achievements, Features and Non-Features categories honor outstanding contributions in different aspects of filmmaking. The ‘Best Writing on Cinema’ category promotes the study and appreciation of cinema as an art form by encouraging the publication of books, articles, reviews, newspaper coverage, and studies related to the film industry.
The National Film Awards aim to foster the production of films that exhibit aesthetic and technical excellence while also addressing social issues. They contribute to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures within India through the medium of cinema, ultimately promoting national unity and integrity.
An expert jury, consisting of individuals distinguished in the fields of cinema, arts, and humanities, is responsible for selecting the award winners.
The Kashmir Files
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