69th National Film Awards 2023: The Winners and Highlights

On Thursday, August 24, 2023, the National Media Center in New Delhi revealed the winners of the 69th National Film Awards. These awards recognize the pinnacle of Indian cinema for the year 2021. A ceremony is anticipated where the President will honour the best Indian films across languages. All films in contention were certified by the CBFC between January 1 and December 31, 2021. Dive in for more on the major awards and highlights from the event.

Best Feature Film: Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, directed by R. Madhavan and produced by Tricolour Films and Varghese Moolan Pictures, won the award for Best Feature Film. The movie is a biopic that delves into the life of Nambi Narayanan, an ex-scientist and aerospace engineer from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He faced false espionage charges and was detained in 1994. The film portrays his struggle to prove his innocence and restore his reputation. R. Madhavan also played the lead role of Nambi Narayanan, while Simran Bagga, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra and Misha Ghoshal played supporting roles.

Best Popular Film: RRR

RRR, directed by S.S. Rajamouli and produced by D.V.V. Danayya under DVV Entertainment, won the award for the Best Popular Film providing wholesome entertainment. The film is a fictional story set in the 1920s pre-independence era, revolving around two legendary freedom fighters, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, played by Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao Jr., respectively. The film also stars Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Olivia Morris, Samuthirakani and Ray Stevenson in pivotal roles. The film is known for its spectacular action sequences and visual effects.

Best Feature Film on National Integration: The Kashmir Files

The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Pallavi Joshi under I Am Buddha Production, won the Nargis Dutt Award for the Best Feature Film on National Integration. The film is a thriller based on the true events of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in 1990. The film follows a journalist, played by Mithun Chakraborty, who investigates the truth behind the mass displacement of the minority community. The film also features Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mrinal Kulkarni, Darshan Kumar and Prakash Belawadi in significant roles.

Best Actor: Allu Arjun for Pushpa: The Rise