The 70th National Film Awards ceremony saw some of India’s finest talents being recognised for their outstanding contributions to cinema. The winners shared their gratitude after the award ceremony in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan on October 8.

Nithya Menen, who won the award for her performance in Thiruchitrambalam, dedicated her award to her co-stars and the entire team. “I dedicate the award to my co-stars and the entire team of Thiruchitrambalam,” she said. The recognition at the national level, she revealed, acted as a validation for her eclectic career choices.

“I never thought of awards when I did any film. This award was definitely a surprise for me,” Nithya admitted. The National Film Award, she confessed, brought a sense of calm and vindication to her career. “It made me calmer. I have always taken difficult paths in my career. It always felt like I was swimming upstream. So, this award means a lot more because it calmed me down, and validated my choices.”

Also Read | Nithya Menen on winning the National Film Award for Best Actress: ‘This award has calmed me down, and validated my choices’

Kantara star Rishab Shetty, who bagged the Best Actor award, emphasised the impact of films on society. “Every film has an impact. I thank the audience. A National Award is a very prestigious reward for an artiste,” he said. Rishab’s goal, he shared, is to create films that bring about positive change.

In an exclusive talk with Doordarshan, @shetty_rishab expressed his happiness after winning the ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ award at the 70th National Film Awards for his powerful performance in “Kantara.” @MIB_India @nfdcindia @PIB_India @AshwiniVaishnaw @Murugan_MoS… pic.twitter.com/hBZyKzCYYI

— Doordarshan National दूरदर्शन नेशनल (@DDNational) October 7, 2024

Music maestro A R Rahman, who won the Best Music Director (Background music) award for Ponniyin Selvan 1, expressed pride and gratitude. “This award is special because this is my seventh National Award. My first National Film Award was for the film Roja with Mani Ratnam. This film is also with him. Whenever I work with him, it is very special; he gets the best out of all of us.”

Manoj Bajpayee, another winner, humbly acknowledged the contribution of his team. “It is a huge thing when such a small film (Gulmohar) makes its presence felt at National Film Awards. I feel honoured. Also, I can’t take all the credit myself. I thank my director, who offered me this film, and all the people who worked with me, all the co-actors who supported my work.”

 

 

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Filmmaker Karan Johar, whose production Brahmastra won a National Award, was overwhelmed with gratitude. Taking to Instagram, he wrote,”Every time I step onto this stage, it’s always a different feeling of magic. But there’s one feeling that always remains – gratitude. Thank you @mib_india for the constant support & strength for our film fraternity to tell stories and bring it to the people of our nation. And thank you to the audience, for the bountiful love that you shower. This is the third time for me on stage, and the magnanimity of it all is not lost on me. And what a day to celebrate – since today also marks 44 years of @dharmamovies!”

“@ayan_mukerji, here’s to #Brahmastra being etched in,” he added.

Veteran actress Neena Gupta, who received her fourth National Award, also expressed her gratitude. Taking to her social media platforms, she wrote, “Honoured to receive my fourth national award from the honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu.”

 

 

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Also Read | Mithun Chakraborty narrates how he became the ‘sexy, dusky Bengali babu’ at 70th National Film Awards ceremony

At the ceremony veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In his acceptance speech, he said, “Giving a speech after receiving an award is the most difficult thing to do. If I was given dialogues, I would have easily read them in front of you, but here I am unprepared. I don’t have any paper with me. I don’t know what to say. My respected President, all the respected people on the dais and the audience and my colleagues, all I would like to say that I have been on this stage thrice before this and it’s all because of your blessings.”

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)

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