70th National Film Awards: Aattam wins Best Film, Rishab Shetty is Best Actor

The winners of the 70th National Film Awards were announced at the National Media Center in New Delhi on Friday. The awards ceremony, which will take place at a later date, will see the President honor the best Indian films from 2022. Films eligible for consideration were those certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. This year’s jury includes Rahul Rawail as the Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury, Nila Madhab Panda as Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury, and Gangadhar Mudalair as Chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury.

The Malayalam-language drama Aattam received the award for Best Feature Film. Rishab Shetty was named Best Actor, and the Best Actress award was shared between Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh.

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, Fouji

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 Kalikhan

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

 The award ceremonies have been delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 69th National Film Awards, held in 2023, recognized the best Indian films from 2021. Rocketry received the Best Feature Film award, Allu Arjun was named Best Actor, and Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actress honor.

At the 68th National Film Awards, Soorarai Pottru won Best Feature Film, and the late filmmaker Sachy was honored with Best Director for Ayyappanum Koshiyum. Ajay Devgn and Suriya shared the Best Actor award, while Aparna Balamurali was awarded Best Actress.