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TL;DR
- The 70th National Film Awards took place in New Delhi, honoring notable figures like Karan Johar, A R Rahman, and Mithun Chakraborty.
- Karan Johar’s “Brahmastra” and A R Rahman’s work on “Ponniyin Selvan 1” were among the celebrated achievements.
- Nithya Menen and Rishab Shetty received acting awards, highlighting their impactful contributions to cinema.
- Mithun Chakraborty was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding career in Indian cinema.
The 70th National Film Awards ceremony, held on October 8, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, celebrated the achievements of India’s cinematic talents. This prestigious event was presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, who honored filmmakers and actors for their exceptional contributions to Indian cinema.
Among the notable awardees was Karan Johar, whose production “Brahmastra” received significant recognition. Johar expressed his gratitude on social media, highlighting the magical experience of receiving the award and acknowledging the continuous support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and audiences. He noted that this accolade coincided with the 44th anniversary of his production house, Dharma Productions.
A R Rahman, a legendary music composer, was honored with his seventh National Award for Best Music Director for “Ponniyin Selvan 1.” Rahman expressed pride in receiving this award for a film directed by Mani Ratnam, with whom he has had a long-standing collaboration. He remarked on the full-circle moment, recalling his first National Award win for “Roja,” another Ratnam film.
Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh shared the Best Actress award for their roles in “Thiruchitrambalam” and “Kutch Express,” respectively. Menen dedicated her award to her unconventional career choices, stating that it provided her with a sense of calm and validation. Similarly, Rishab Shetty, who won Best Actor for “Kantara,” emphasized the societal impact of films and credited his audience for his success.
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honor, recognizing his illustrious career. In his acceptance speech, Chakraborty expressed his gratitude to colleagues and audiences, despite being at a loss for words due to the overwhelming emotion of the moment.
The ceremony also recognized Manoj Bajpayee for his performance in “Gulmohar,” which was named Best Hindi Film. Bajpayee graciously acknowledged his team’s efforts, emphasizing that the award was a collective achievement.
Celebrated actress Neena Gupta received her fourth National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Uunchai.” In a heartfelt social media post, she expressed her deep honor at receiving the award from President Murmu.
The event underscored the rich diversity and accomplishments of Indian cinema across various languages and regions. With awards spanning categories from Best Feature Film to Best Music Director, the ceremony highlighted both established and emerging talents within the industry.
Source: The Daily Star
