President Droupadi Murmu presented top cinema honours in Gujarat, with Anant Nag receiving the Phalke award and Mammootty, Yami Gautam and Kartik Aaryan bagging acting prizes.
President Droupadi Murmu took the stage at Ekta Nagar on Tuesday, handing the Dadasaheb Phalke award to veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag. The ceremony, part of the 72nd National Film Awards for 2024, marked a rare departure from the usual New Delhi setting, moving the celebration to the shadow of the Statue of Unity.
Anant Nag, who has been a mainstay of South Indian cinema for decades, accepted the honour with a grin. "It’s a great feeling to receive this honour," he told reporters, adding that his earlier Padma Bhushan felt like a rehearsal for this moment. He dedicated the award to Kannadigas and the state of Karnataka, a nod that resonated with the crowd.
Highlights from the ceremony
Mammootty’s win for the Malayalam supernatural drama Bramayugam tied him with Amitabh Bachchan for the most Best Actor trophies – four in total, according to The Hindu. He was praised for his chilling turn as the malevolent spirit Kodumon Potty.
Yami Gautam clinched the Best Actress title for her role as an intelligence officer in Article 370. The Hindi feature also walked away with the Best Feature Film award, a double triumph highlighted by multiple outlets.
Kartik Aaryan earned the Best Actor (Male) accolade for portraying Paralympian gold‑medallist Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion. His performance, a blend of grit and nuance, impressed the jury and the President alike.
Other notable mentions included Dhanush, who received a Special Mention for Captain Miller, and Sanjay Mishra, who took home the Best Supporting Actor award for Bhakshak.
The ceremony also shone a light on fresh talent. Randeep Hooda, stepping behind the camera, won Best Debut Film of a Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Rajkumar Periasamy secured Best Direction for the Tamil film Amaran.
Behind the glitz, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting signalled a shift in how the awards will be staged in coming years. By rotating venues, officials hope to bring the celebration closer to regional audiences and showcase India's cinematic diversity.
The night closed with a flurry of applause as the President presented the Best Music Direction award to Shashwat Sachdev for Article 370, and GV Prakash Kumar was honoured for background music in Amaran. Both expressed excitement at seeing the Statue of Unity for the first time.
With the ceremony now etched into the annals of Indian cinema, the next batch of films will be eyeing the 73rd edition, slated for 2027. Whether the new venue model sticks or the awards swing back to Delhi remains to be seen, but the spotlight on regional talent is unmistakable.
Be the first to comment
Join the argument. No password, just your email or a passkey.