On October 8, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu presided over the 70th National Film Awards ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, recognising the remarkable contributions of distinguished individuals to Indian cinema. A standout moment was the awarding of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award to the venerable actor Mithun Chakraborty, honouring his extensive career.
Rishab Shetty received the Best Actor award for his performance in Kantara, while the Best Actress award was jointly awarded to Nithya Menen for Thiruchitrambalam and Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express. The Best Feature Film accolade went to Aattam, and Gulmohar was recognised as the Best Hindi Film. Baghi Di Dhee, directed by Mukesh Gautam, was declared the Best Punjabi Film. The film chronicles the heroism of a young girl whose father was a Ghadar revolutionary, drawing inspiration from the late Gurmukh Singh Musafir, a freedom fighter and Punjab’s fifth chief minister.
Rabindra Narayan, Managing Director of G-Next Media, was honoured for his pivotal role in producing Baghi Di Dhee. President Murmu's address highlighted the rich diversity and accomplishments of Indian cinema, celebrating its array of languages and regional narratives.
Highlights of the 70th National Film Awards:
Best Feature Film: Aattam
Best Popular Film: Kantara
Best Actor: Rishab Shetty (Kantara)
Best Actress: Nithya Menen (Thiruchitrambalam) and Manasi Parekh (Kutch Express)
Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya
Best Supporting Actress: Neena Gupta
Best Supporting Actor: Pawan Malhotra
Best Debut: Fouja, Pramod Kumar
Best Punjabi Film: Baghi Di Dhee (Daughter of a Rebel)
Best Hindi Film: Gulmohar
Special Mentions: Manoj Bajpayee in Gulmohar, Sanjoy Salil Chowdhury for Kalikhan
The 70th National Film Awards ceremony celebrated the artistry and resilience of Indian cinema, showcasing the myriad talents across different regions and reaffirming the enduring power of storytelling in shaping the cinematic landscape.
