70th National Film Awards: 'Baghi Di Dhee' by ace director Mukesh Gautam bags 'Best Punjabi Film' Award | Check winners' list
70th National Film Awards: The 70th National Film Awards have been announced, bringing significant recognition to the Punjabi film industry. "Baghi Di Dhee," directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mukesh Gautam and produced by G Next Media Private Limited, has won the prestigious "Best Punjabi Film" Award.
The film, penned by Gurmukh Singh Musafir, narrates the poignant story of a 14-year-old girl who fought for freedom and chose to be known as the daughter of a rebel. This powerful depiction of courage and resilience has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, earning the film this esteemed honour.
Major Winners at the 70th National Film Awards
Best Direction: Awarded to "From The Shadow"
Best Short Film: Awarded to "Xunyota"
Best Animation Film: Awarded to "A Coconut Tree"
Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values: Awarded to "On the Brink: Season 2"
Best Documentary: Awarded to "Murmurs of the Jungle"
Best Debut Director: Awarded to "Madhyantara"
Best Non-Feature Film: Awarded to "Ayena"
Special Mention Award: Manoj Bajpayee for "Gulmohar"
Special Mention for Music: Sanjoy Salil Chowdhury for "Kadhikan"
Best Telugu Film: Awarded to "Karthikeya 2"
Best Tamil Film: Awarded to "Ponniyin Selvan 1"
Best Kannada Film: Awarded to "KGF Chapter 2" (also won for Best Stunt Choreography)
Best Marathi Film: Awarded to "Vaalvi"
Best Bengali Film: Awarded to "Kaberi Antardhan"
Best Music Award: Pritam for "Brahmastra"
Best Lyrics Award: Naushad Sadar Khan for "Fouja"
Best Production Design: "Aparajito"
Best Editing Award: "Aattam"
Best Actor: Rishab Shetty for "Kantara"
Best Actress: Shared by Nithya Menen for "Thiruchitrambalam" and Manasi Parekh for "Kutch Express"
Best Film: "Aattam"
Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya for "Uunchai"
Best Screenplay: Anand Ekarshi for "Aattam"
Best Tiwa Film: "Sikaisal"
Best Odia Film: "Daman"
Best Malayalam Film: "Saudi Vellakka CC.225/2009"
Best Hindi Film: "Gulmohar"
Best Assamese Film: "Emuthi Puthi"
Best Action Direction (Stunt Choreography): "KGF Chapter 2"
Best Choreography: "Thiruchitrambalam"
Best Music Director (Background Music): A.R. Rahman for "Ponniyin Selvan: 1"
Best Costume Designer: Niki Joshi for "Kutch Express"
Best Sound Design: Anand Krishnamoorthi for "Ponniyin Selvan 1"
Best Cinematography: Ravi Varman for "Ponniyin Selvan 1"
Best Female Playback Singer: Bombay Jayashri for "Saudi Vellakka CC.225/2009"
Best Male Playback Singer: Arijit Singh for "Kesariya" from "Brahmastra"
Best Child Artist: Sreepath for "Malikappuram"
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Neena Gupta for "Uunchai"
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Pavan Raj Malhotra for "Fouja"
Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comic): "Brahmastra"
Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: "Kutch Express"
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: "Kantara"
Best Debut Film of a Director: Pramod Kumar for "Fouja"
Best Book on Cinema: "Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography" by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar
Best Critic: Deepak Dua
Key Highlights
Ponniyin Selvan 1 emerged as the biggest winner, securing four awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, Best Music Direction (Background Score), and Best Tamil Film.
Haryanvi film "Fouja" took home three awards: Best Debut Film of a Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Lyrics.
Malayalam film "Aattam" also secured three awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing.
"Brahmastra" won three awards: Best Film in AVGC, Best Male Playback Singer, and Best Music Direction (Songs).
National Film Awards: History and Significance
The National Film Awards, established in 1954, are among the most prestigious honors in Indian cinema, celebrating excellence across various categories. Administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, these awards aim to promote high aesthetic and technical standards in filmmaking while recognizing the diverse contributions of Indian cinema.
The awards are judged by a national panel that evaluates films in multiple languages and genres, ensuring fair representation of the country's cinematic landscape. Presented annually by the President of India, the awards cover categories including best films, actors, directors, and technical achievements such as editing, sound design, and screenplay writing.
The National Film Awards have played a pivotal role in spotlighting the best of Indian cinema, providing recognition to both mainstream and regional films. They have become synonymous with artistic excellence, with past recipients including iconic figures such as Satyajit Ray, Rajinikanth, Shabana Azmi, and Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
- With inputs from agencies
