New Delhi: Winners of National Film Awards, including actors Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Bajpayee and Vijay Sethupathi were extremely happy Monday. All including Kangana Ranaut expressed gratitude towards the members of the jury for honouring their work for 2019.
Kangana was named ‘Best Actress’ for her roles in Manikarnika and Panga at the 67th National Film Awards. Bajpayee and Dhanush were announced the joint winners in the best actor category for their films Bhonsle and Asuran, respectively.
In a video on Twitter, Kangana thanked the teams of both the films and said the award is shared by them all.
See video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1373969980002291712
Bajpayee is currently recovering from COVID-19. He dedicated his award to his co-stars and producers who backed director Devashish Makhija’s vision.
Bajpayee features in the Mumbai-set film as a retired policeman. He tries to help migrants fight against local politicians.
“I am happy and thankful to everyone who believed in this film, who believed in me. This award is not only for me but for all these people (who backed the film). With Bhonsle completing its journey with this National Award, I am only feeling thankful and nothing else,” Bajpayee said.
Sethupathi was declared the best supporting actor for his critically-acclaimed role of trans-woman Shilpa/Manickam in Tamil film Super Deluxe. He thanked director Thiagarajan Kumararaja on Twitter.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Chhichhore was named the best Hindi movie. He said the news of the movie winning the National Award ‘came out of the blue’. “I was not even thinking about it. I am still surprised,” Tiwari said.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Chhichhore was a coming-of-age comedy drama. It starred the late Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor.
Tiwari said his feelings are a ‘mixed bag’in Rajput’s absence. “On one hand, I am really happy for the team. On the other hand there’s this sense of loss because he isn’t with us.”
Nadiadwala also dedicated the win to Sushant. “On behalf of NGE, I dedicate this extremely prestigious award to Sushant Singh Rajput. We can’t get over his loss ever. But I sincerely pray that this award gives a little bit of happiness to his family and fans which includes me,” he said.
Praak was the winner of best male playback singer for the song ‘Teri Mitti’ from the period patriotic drama Kesari. He took to Instagram to share his gratitude to fans and the makers of the Akshay Kumar-starrer. “I’m speechless. It is thanks to your blessings and love that I have won the National Award for #TeriMitti,” Praak wrote.
Akshay also congratulated Praak for the song. It marked the Punjabi singer’s Bollywood debut. “#TeriMitti still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it and one song I’m most proud of being part of… Couldn’t be happier! @BPraak #NationalFilmAwards2019,” the star tweeted.
Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri was named the best dialogue writer in the screenplay category for his film Tashkent Files. The movie also helped Agnihotri’s actor-wife Pallavi Joshi land the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ win.
Nila Madhab Panda bagged the best Odia film award for his movie Kalira Atita.
“This is my first Odia film and getting a National Award for it is a huge achievement. I never make films with any ambition, let alone to win awards. My aim is always to make good films,” Panda said.