New Delhi | Political drama "Article 370" emerged as the biggest winner at the 72nd National Film Awards on Saturday, bagging the best feature film honour, while its lead star Yami Gautam was named best actress.
Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty and Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan shared the best actor award for "Bramayugam" and "Chandu Champion" respectively.
Inspired by the government's decision to abrogate the special status accorded to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, "Article 370" features Gautam as an intelligence officer involved in a covert operation linked to the developments leading up to the abrogation. It is directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale.
Announcing the awards for the year 2024, chairperson of the 11-member central jury, Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj, said the film "centres on the mission to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir into Indian union. Emphasising a unified and indivisible nation, it highlights the battle against local corruption and dismantling of a conflict economy".
Released in February 2024, months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the film drew political attention over its portrayal of the constitutional change.
On Gautam's role, Jayaraj said the actor delivered "a nuanced performance that portrays a law enforcement agent's unwavering pursuit of truth and justice with sensitivity, courage and compassion. A performance that leaves a profound and lasting impact".
Actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda won the best debut director award for "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar", his first directorial venture in which he also plays Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The Hindi biographical drama traces Savarkar's life, including his years as a revolutionary in London, his incarceration in the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and his later political career.
Praising Hooda's directorial effort, Jayaraj said, "Showcasing freedom fighter Savarkar's early life, influences and contributions to the Indian freedom movement, the director shows extraordinary commitment and command over the craft."
Mammootty was recognised for his performance in the Rahul Sadasivan directed Malayalam black-and-white horror film.
"Chandu Champion", Kabir Khan's biographical sports drama, is based on the life of Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medallist.
Meanwhile, Telugu science-fiction epic "Kalki 2898 AD" won the award for best popular film "providing wholesome entertainment". Directed by Nag Ashwin and starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Kamal Haasan, the film blends elements from Indian mythology with a futuristic dystopian setting and was among the biggest commercial successes of the year.
Tamil film "Captain Miller", directed by Arun Matheswaran and starring Dhanush, won the award for best feature film promoting "National, Social and Environmental Values".
Set during the British Raj, the film follows a former soldier who rebels against colonial rule.
Rajkumar Periasamy was named best director for "Amaran", the Tamil biographical action drama based on the life of Ashok Chakra awardee (posthumous) Major Mukund Varadarajan.
Actor Sanjay Mishra won the best actor in a supporting role award for the Hindi crime drama "Bhakshak", which centres on a journalist investigating abuse at a shelter home.
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir won the best lyrics award for the song "Jaane Do" from the Hindi film "Maidaan", starring Ajay Devgn. The film is based on the life of legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim, who guided the Indian football team during one of its most successful periods.
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby on Saturday took a swipe at the National Film Awards jury over the recognition given to Randeep Hooda's 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'.
Baby claimed the current political climate in the country was such that "even a movie on Nathuram Godse may receive an award."
He was responding to reporters' questions about the Best Debut Director award conferred on Hooda for 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'.
"I don't need to say anything more, do I? About 'Savarkar'... The current situation developing in India is such that even a movie about Godse might receive an award. It is deeply tragic," he said.
Asked about 'Article 370', which won the Best Feature Film award, Baby said he had not watched the film and therefore could not comment on its content.
"I cannot comment on something I am unaware of. However, if the film portrays the revocation of Article 370 as an action that went against the core spirit and dignity of the Indian Constitution, then I agree with that perspective," he said.
Referring to the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Baby said leaders from the union territory were scheduled to visit New Delhi on July 20 to campaign for the restoration of statehood.
"If the movie reflects that idea, then I am very happy," he added.
Responding to reporters, National Film Awards jury chairman and Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj rejected suggestions that political considerations had influenced the jury's decisions.
"When we watch a film, it is just a movie. We don't have politics in front of us. As a filmmaker myself, and along with the ten members of the jury, we only watched the films," he told reporters.
Speaking about 'Article 370', Jayaraj said the film had been made beautifully and noted that it had also won the Best Actress award.
Commenting on 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar', he praised Hooda's work as a debut director.
"It was a very fine effort. As a new director, the way he recreated that era is absolutely magnificent. The team put in tremendous effort, especially in recreating the Cellular Jail and the entire period of the freedom struggle," he said.
Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and other leaders on Saturday congratulated the Malayalam film personalities honoured at the 72nd National Film Awards, saying their achievements had brought pride to Kerala and its industry.
In a statement, the CM hailed actor Mammootty for winning his fourth National Film Award for 'Bramayugam', describing him as an "enduring icon of Indian cinema."
Satheesan said Mammootty was not just a name to Malayalis, but "a habit" that had remained unchanged for decades.
"The one and only Mammootty of Indian cinema stands enriched with his fourth National Film Award. His unwavering dedication to cinema, his willingness to go to any extent for the perfection of a character, and his constant desire to explore new roles have made him a phenomenon in Indian cinema," the CM said.
Satheesan congratulated 'Bramayugam' cinematographer Shehnad Jalal, singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, director Fazil Muhammed and the crew of the award-winning Malayalam film 'Feminichi Fathima', as well as the makers of the non-feature film 'Bhadra Kali Nadakam', which received a Special Jury Mention.
"They have all upheld the pride of Malayalam cinema and Kerala before the nation. It is a matter of heartfelt joy," he said.
Tourism, Culture and Cinema Minister P C Vishnunadh congratulated all the artistes and technicians from the Malayalam film industry who won honours at the National Film Awards, saying their achievements had brought pride to the state.
He expressed special happiness over Mammootty winning the Best Actor award for the fourth time and said his portrayal of Kodumon Potti in 'Bramayugam', once again showcased the actor's extraordinary versatility.
Vishnunadh said film lovers had expected Mammootty's performance to receive national recognition and that the honour was a proud moment for Malayalam cinema.
He also congratulated Shehnad Jalal on winning the Best Cinematography award, saying his visual language, which created an atmosphere of mystery and horror through black-and-white frames, reflected the technical excellence of Malayalam cinema.
The minister hailed singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi for winning national recognition for the song "Angu Vaana Konil" from 'Ajayante Randam Moshanam', saying the honour added to the prestige of the National Film Awards.
Vishnunadh welcomed the recognition received by 'Feminichi Fathima', directed by Fazil Muhammed, saying the film, which had won five awards at the International Film Festival of Kerala, had emerged as a landmark women-centric work highlighting women's resilience and survival.
He congratulated the makers of the documentary 'Bhadra Kali Nadakam', directed by Ananthajyothi, which received a Special Jury Mention in the non-feature category.
Higher Education Minister Roji M John, in a Facebook post, congratulated the Malayalam film personalities who won honours at the National Film Awards, saying their achievements had brought pride to Malayalam cinema.
Describing Mammootty as an acting phenomenon, John said the actor's portrayal of Kodumon Potti in 'Bramayugam', with its menacing smile and remarkable transformation, showed that he continued to reinvent himself despite being at the peak of his career.
"Even while remaining at the peak of his career, Mammootty continues to create waves with commercial films while embracing experimental cinema and constantly reinventing himself as an actor. This award is a well-deserved recognition of his talent," the minister said.
John congratulated Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, Shehnad Jalal and debut director Fazil Muhammed for the recognition received by 'Feminichi Fathima'.
"Malayalam cinema is basking in the glory of national recognition. Congratulations to all the talented personalities who have elevated the pride of Malayalam cinema at the National Film Awards," he said.
Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty congratulated Mammootty on winning the Best Actor award at the 72nd National Film Awards.
In a Facebook post, Kunhalikutty said the honour was a recognition of Mammootty's unwavering passion for acting and his commitment to bringing every character to perfection.
He said the actor's dedication, energy and ability to transcend age had made him an inspiration to film lovers and future generations alike.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby said Mammootty was the pride of Kerala and the acting world.
"There isn't much more to say about Mammootty's acting. To put it in terms that are easy to understand today, I feel he is the Lionel Messi of the acting world. With love, I send my hugs and greetings to Mammootty," he said.
Kottayam (Kerala) | Popular playback singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, known for her unique and soulful voice, on Saturday said winning the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer came as a "complete surprise" and was something she had never expected.
Vijayalakshmi received the honour at the 72nd National Film Awards for rendering the song "Angu Vaanakonil" in 'Ajayante Randam Moshanam'. (ARM), directed by Jithin Laal.
"I had absolutely no idea that the awards had been announced. A friend from Ernakulam called to congratulate me. When he wished me, I asked him what it was for. That's when he told me I had won the National Award. It was a huge surprise," she told reporters at her home here.
The singer said she had never expected the awards to be announced so soon and described the recognition as a mark of "God's grace".
Recalling the recording of the song, Vijayalakshmi said it was completed smoothly in Ernakulam under the guidance of music director Dhibu Ninan Thomas, who explained the emotions required for the rendition.
"He wanted me to sing it as though a grandmother was narrating a story to her grandson. I followed his guidance, and he was very happy with the outcome," she said.
Penned by Manu Manjith and composed by Dhibu Ninan Thomas, the song appears in 'ARM' as a lullaby sung by the character Manikyam, played by Surabhi Lakshmi, to her grandson Ajayan in the film starring Tovino Thomas.
Blind since birth, Vijayalakshmi has carved a niche for herself in Malayalam cinema with her distinctive voice. She is also known for her mastery of the rare single-stringed instrument, the Gayathri Veena.
She rose to prominence with the song "Kaatte Kaatte Nee Pookkaamarathil" from the Malayalam film 'Celluloid' and has since established herself as one of Kerala's most acclaimed playback singers.