The 70th National Film Awards were unveiled on Friday, recognizing the top films of 2022 alongside exceptional actors and crew members from throughout India. Notable recipients included Rishab Shetty and Nithya Menen, who were awarded Best Actor, and the Malayalam film Aattam, which won Best Film. Additionally, Brahmastra Part 1 and Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 garnered multiple significant awards.
Here is the comprehensive list of winners in both Feature Films and Non-Feature Films categories: Best Film went to Aattam (Malayalam), while Best Debut Film was awarded to Fouja (Haryanvi). Kantara (Kannada) was recognized for providing wholesome entertainment, and Kutch Express (Gujarati) was honored for promoting national, social, and environmental values. Brahmastra Part 1 (Hindi) won in the AVGC category, and Sooraj Barjatya took home the Best Director award for Uunchai (Hindi).
In acting categories, Nithya Menen (Thiruchitrambalam, Tamil), Manasi Parekh (Kutch Express, Gujarati), and Rishab Shetty (Kantara, Kannada) were named Best Actor in Leading Role. Neena Gupta (Uunchai, Hindi) and Pavan Raj Malhotra (Fouja, Gujarati) received Best Actor in Supporting Role awards. Sreepath was recognized as Best Child Artiste for Malikappuram (Malayalam).
CREW AWARDS highlights include Best Action Direction for Anbariv (KGF Chapter 2, Kannada), Best Choreography for Jani Master and Sathish Krishnan (Thiruchitrambalam, Megham Karukatha, Tamil), and Best Lyrics for Naushad Sadar Khan (Fouja, Salaami, Gujarati). Best Music Direction awards went to Pritham (songs, Brahmastra Part 1, Hindi) and AR Rahman (background music, Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, Tamil).
Other notable awards included Best Makeup for Somnath Kundu (Aparajito, Bengali), Best Costume Design for Niki Joshi (Kutch Express, Gujarati), and Best Production Design for Ananda Addhya (Aparajito, Bengali). Best Editing was awarded to Mahesh Bhuvanend (Aattam, Malayalam), and Best Sound Design to Anand Krishnamoorthi (Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, Tamil).
Best Screenplay awards were given to Anand Ekarshi (Aattam, Malayalam) and Arpita Mukherjee and Rahul V Chittella (Gulmohar, Hindi). Ravi Varman received Best Cinematography for Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 (Tamil), and Best Playback Singer awards went to Bombay Jayshree (Saudi Vellakka CC 225/2009, Chaayum Veyil, Malayalam) and Arijit Singh (Brahmastra Part 1, Kesariya, Hindi).
REGIONAL FILMS awards included Best Tiwa Film: Sikaisal, Best Telugu Film: Karthikeya 2, Best Tamil Film: Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, Best Punjabi Film: Baghi Di Dhee, Best Odia Film: Daman, Best Malayalam Film: Saudi Vellakka CC 225/2009, Best Marathi Film: Vaalvi, Best Kannada Film: KGF Chapter 2, Best Hindi Film: Gulmohar, Best Bengali Film: Kaberi Antardhan, and Best Assamese Film: Emuthi Puthi.
SPECIAL MENTIONS included Manoj Bajpayee (actor, Gulmohar, Hindi) and Sanjay Salil Chowdhury (music director, Kadhikan, Malayalam).
NON-FEATURE awards were dominated by Ayena (Best Non-Feature Film), Madhyantara (Best Debut Film), Aanakhi Ek Mohenjo Daro (Best Biographical/Historical/Compilation Film), Ranga Vibhoga/Varsa (Best Arts/Culture Film), Mono No Aware (Best Script), Murmurs of the Jungle (Best Narrator), Fursat (Best Music Direction), Madhyantara (Best Editing), Yaan (Best Sound Design), Mono No Aware (Best Cinematography), From the Shadow (Best Direction), Xunyota (Best Short Film), The Coconut Tree (Best Animated Film), On the Brink Season 2 - Gharial (Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values), and Murmurs of the Jungle (Best Documentary).
FILM WRITING awards recognized Deepak Dua as Best Critic and Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography as Best Book on Cinema.
