70th National Awards: Here's everything you need to know

President Droupadi Murmu, on Tuesday, 8th October 2024, presented the 70th National Awards to winners across various categories at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan. While addressing the audience, President Murmu highlighted that out of the 85 awardees, only 15 were women. She emphasized the need to promote women leaders in the film industry and development sectors. She also remarked that films and social media platforms serve as powerful tools for social reform. Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of State for I&B L. Murugan graced the event with their presence. Minister Vaishnaw announced the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in Mumbai, modeled after IITs and IIMs, aimed at enhancing creative skills and knowledge.

Mithun Chakraborty was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the National Awards 2024. The Malayalam film 'Aattam', directed by Anand Ekarshi, was named Best Feature Film, while 'Gulmohar', directed by Rahul V. Chittella, and the documentary 'Ayena', directed by Siddhant Sarin, won Best Non-Feature Film. 'Kantara' was awarded Best Popular Film, and 'Kutch Express' was recognized as the Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values.

'Brahmastra – Part 1: Shiva' won the award for Best Film in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comic categories. The award for Best Debut Film of a Director went to 'Fouja', which tells the story of an army family.

Rishab Shetty received the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance in 'Kantara', while the Best Actress award was a tie between Nithya Menen for 'Thiruchitrambalam' and Manasi Parekh for 'Kutch Express'. Pavan Raj Malhotra won Best Supporting Actor for 'Fouja' (Haryanvi), and Neena Gupta won Best Supporting Actress for 'Uunchai: Zenith' (Hindi). Sreepath was awarded Best Child Artist for the Malayalam film 'Malikappuram'. Arijit Singh ('Kesariya') and Bombay Jayashri ('Saudi Vellakka') won Best Playback Singer (Male and Female, respectively). Sooraj Barjatya received the award for Best Director for his film 'Uunchai'.

In the Regional Film category, 'Sikaisal' won Best Tiwa Film, 'Baghi di Dhee' was named Best Punjabi Film, 'Karthikeya' won Best Telugu Film, 'Ponniyin Selvan Part 1' was awarded Best Tamil Film, 'Daman' won Best Odia Film, and 'Saudi Vellakka' was awarded Best Malayalam Film.

AR Rahman and Pritam jointly won the Best Music Direction award for 'Ponniyin Selvan Part 1' and 'Brahmastra Part 1', respectively. Ravi Varman won the award for Best Cinematography for 'Ponniyin Selvan Part 1'. 'Aattam' (Mahesh Bhuvanend) also won the Best Editing award. Anbariv was honored with the Best Action Direction award for 'KGF Chapter 2'. Deepak Dua received the Best Film Critic award, while the Best Documentary award went to 'Murmurs of the Jungle' (Marathi).