70th National Film Awards: Malayalam drama ‘Aattam’ wins best feature film, ‘Ponniyin Selvan: 1’ dominates with four wins

The 70th National Film Awards winners were unveiled on Friday at the National Media Center in New Delhi. The ceremony itself will take place later, where the President will honor the best Indian films produced in 2022. Films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) from 1^st January, 2022, to 31^st December, 2022, were eligible for these prestigious awards. This year’s selection process was led by a distinguished jury, including Rahul Rawail, Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury; Nila Madhab Panda, Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury; and Gangadhar Mudalair, Chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury.

The Malayalam drama “Aattam” clinched the Best Feature Film award, while Rishab Shetty was named Best Actor. The Best Actress award was jointly awarded to Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh. The film “Ponniyin Selvan: 1” emerged as a big winner, securing four awards in total.

The National Film Awards have faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with ceremonies being pushed back by two years. The 69th National Film Awards, held in 2023, recognized films from 2021, with “Rocketry” receiving the Best Feature Film award. Allu Arjun was honored as Best Actor, while Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actress award. In the 68th edition, the Tamil film “Soorarai Pottru” won the top prize, and late filmmaker Sachy was recognized as Best Director for “Ayyappanum Koshiyum”. Ajay Devgn and Suriya shared the Best Actor award, while Aparna Balamurali took home the Best Actress award.

Established in 1954, the National Film Awards are organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals. The inaugural Best Feature Film winner was the Marathi film “Shyamchi Aai.” Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan” holds the record for the most awards in a single year, with eight honors in 2002. The awards also celebrate regional films and include the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement, which last year was awarded to the legendary actress Waheeda Rehman. Here is the full list of winners at the 70th National Film Awards:

FEATURE CATEGORIES

Best Feature Film – Aattam

Best Actor – Rishab Shetty, Kantara

Best Actress – Nithya Menen in Tiruchitrabalam, and Manasi Parekh in Kutch Express

Best Director – Sooraj Barjatya, Uunchai

Best Supporting Actress – Neena Gupta, Uunchai

Best Supporting Actor – Pawan Malhotra, Fouja

Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Kantara

Best Debut – Fouja, 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

Special Mentions – Manoj Bajpayee in Gulmohar, and Sanjoy Salil Chowdhury for Kadhikan

Best Action Direction – KGF: Chapter 2

Best Choreography – Tiruchitrabalam

Best Lyrics – Fouja

Best Music Director – Pritam (Songs), AR Rahman (Background Score)

Best Makeup – Aparajito

Best Costumes – Kutch Express

Best Production Design – Aparajito

Best Editing – Aattam

Best Sound Design – Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1

Best Screenplay – Aattam

Best Dialogues – Gulmohar

Best Cinematography – Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1

Best Female Playback – Saudi Velakka CC.225/2009, Bombay Jayashri

Best Female Playback – Brahmastra, Arijit Singh

Best Child Artist – Sreepath in Mallikappuram

Best Film in AVGC – Brahmastra

Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values – Kutch Express

FILM WRITING

Best Critic – Deepak Dua

Best Book on Cinema – Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography

NON-FEATURE CATEGORIES

Best Non-Feature Film – Ayena

Best Debut Film – Madhyantara

Best Biographical/Historical/Compilation Film – Aanakhi Ek Mohenjo Daro

Best Arts/Culture Film – Ranga Vibhoga/Varsa

Best Script – Mono No Aware

Best Narrator – Murmurs of the Jungle

Best Music Direction – Fursat

Best Editing – Madhyantara

Best Sound Design – Yaan

Best Cinematography – Mono No Aware

Best Direction – From the Shadow

Best Short Film – Xunyota

Best Animated Film – The Coconut Tree

Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values – On the Brink Season 2 – Gharial

Best Documentary – Murmurs of the Jungle

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