“I dedicate this award to my mentor, guru K Balachander sir. I remember him with great gratitude and my brother Sathyanarayana Rao Gaekwad, who is like my father, brought me up teaching great values and injecting spirituality in me. My friend from Karnataka, bus transport driver, my colleague, Raj Bahadur. When I was a bus conductor, he was the one who identified the acting talent in me and encouraged me to join cinema. All my producers, directors, technicians who worked with me and co-artists, distributors, executors, media, press, and all my fans. And, Tamil people, without them I am nobody. I thank the Tamil people who have given me my life. Jai Hind!” said Superstar Rajinikanth after being conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke award during the 67th National Film Awards ceremony took place on Monday, October 25.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu presented the awards to those who won this year. The awardees include Kangana Ranaut and Manoj Bajpayee.
Kangana was awarded the Best Actress Award for her performances in Manikarnika: Queen of Jhansi and Panga. This is her fourth National Award. She previously won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fashion and Best Actress Awards for Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns.
Manoj Bajpayee, was awarded the Best Actor Award for his performance in Bhonsle. Tamil actor Dhanush also received the Best Actor Award for his role in Asuran.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s last theatrical release Chhichhore was awarded the best Hindi film award. In the regional languages, Asuran won for Best Tamil film and Jersey won for Best Telugu film. Vijay Sethupathi won the Best Supporting Actor award for Super Deluxe.
Malayalam film Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea) received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. The film has been written and directed by Priyadarshan, and stars Mohanlal. The actor was present at the awards show.
Meanwhile, The Tashkent Files won two awards – Dialogue Writer and Best Supporting Actress, which went to Pallavi Joshi.
B Praak was honoured with Rajat Kamal for Kesari’s song “Teri Mitti.”
D. Imman was honoured with Rajat Kamal for Best Music Direction for Viswasam.
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 Chattisgarhi Film: Bhulan The Maze
Best Telugu Film: Jersey
Best Tamil Film: Asuran
Best Punjabi Film: Rab 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
