Priyadarshan’s Malayalam film, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, bagged the National Award for the best film in the 67th National Film Awards announced yesterday (March 22) in Delhi. It also picked up an award for the best special effects. Kangana Ranaut bagged the best actress award for 2019 for her performances in Manikarnika: Jhansi Ki Rani and Panga. Manoj Bajpayee and Dhanush shared the award for the best actor for their performances in Bhonsle and Asuran (Tamil) respectively. The best male supporting actor award went to Vijay Sethupathi for Tamil film Super Deluxe while the best female supporting actor award went to Pallavi Joshi for The Tashkent Files. Sanjay Pooran Singh Chauhan bagged the award for the best director for Bahattar Hoorain. The characters of Sushant Singh Rajput (who passed away in June last year) and his bosom pals in Chhichhore may have taken pride in referring to themselves as ‘Losers’ in the film but the film itself won the award for the best Hindi film.
The best screenplay award went to Jyeshthoputro (Bengali), for which Prabuddha Banerjee also picked up an award for the best background music. The best adapted screenplay award went to Gumnaami (Hindi and Bengali) whereas the best screenplay (dialogues) award went to Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri for The Tashkent Files. B. Imaan picked up the award for the best songs for Tamil film Viswasam. The award for the best music direction went to Bengali film Jyeshthoputro. Prabha Varma got the award for the best lyrics for Malayalam film Kolaambi. B. Praak and Savani Ravindra got the awards for the best male and female playback singers for Kesari (Teri mitti) and Bardo (Marathi). The award for the best cinematographer went to Girish Gangadharan for Jallikattu (Malayalam). Jersey bagged the best Telugu film award and it also won the award for the best editing. Maharshi (Telugu) bagged the award for the best choreography. Kannada film Avane Srimannarayana bagged the award for the best stunts. The Indira Gandhi award for the best debut film of a director went to Malayalam Helen, directed by Mathukutty Xavier. The award for the best make-up artiste went to the make-up artiste of the same film.
Khasi film Lewduh and Marathi film Trijya won the award for the best audiography. It also picked up the award for the best Khasi film. Anandi Gopal (Marathi) picked up the award for the best production designing and also the award for the best film on social issues. Marathi film Taj Mahal bagged the award for the best film on national integration. The special jury prize was won by Oththa Seruppu Size 7 (Tamil).
The best children’s film award went to Kastoori. The award for the best film on environment conservation was bagged by Water Burial. Special mentions were made of the following films: Biriyani (Malayalam), Jonaki Porua (Assamese), Lata Bhagwan Kare (Marathi) and Picasso (Marathi).
The awards for the language films were given to:
Best Tulu film: Pingara
Best Paniya film: Kenjira
Best Mishing film: Anu Ruwad
Best Khasi film: Lewduh
Best Haryanvi film: Chhoriyan Chhoron Se Kam Nahi Hoti
Best Chhattisgarhi film: Bhulan The Maze
Best Telugu film: Jersey
Best Tamil film: Asuran
Best Punjabi film: Rabb Da Radio 2
Best Odiya film: Sala Budhar Badla and Kalira Atita
Best Manipuri film: Eigi Kona
Best Malayalam film: Kalla Nottam
Best Marathi film: Bardo
Best Konkani film: Kaajro
Best Kannada film: Akshi
Best Hindi film: Chhichhore
Best Bengali film: Gumnaami
Best Assamese film: Ronuwa – Who Never Surrender
The jury declared Sikkim as the most film-friendly state in 2019. Sanjay Suri’s book, A Gandhian Affair: India’s Curious Portrayal Of Love In Cinema, got the award for the best book on cinema. Sohini Chattopadhyay was adjudged the best film critic. A special mention award was given to film critic Ashok Rane for his Marathi book on films, titled Cinema Pahanara Manus.