The National Film Awards are the most prestigious and coveted awards in the Indian film industry. They honour the best of Indian cinema across languages and genres, from feature films to documentaries, from animation to short films. The awards are presented by the President of India at a ceremony held in New Delhi.
The winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced on August 24, 2021, and the awards ceremony was held on October 17, 2021. The awards recognised the films that were certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
Here is the complete list of winners of the National Film Awards 2023, along with some highlights and insights on their achievements.
National Film Awards 2023 Winners list
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Rocketry |
| Best Director | Nikhil Mahajan, Godavari |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | RRR |
| Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration | The Kashmir Files |
| Best Actor | Allu Arjun, Pushpa |
| Best Actress | Alia Bhatt, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti Sanon, Mimi |
| Best Supporting Actor | Pankaj Tripathi, Mimi |
| Best Supporting Actress | Pallavi Joshi, The Kashmir Files |
| Best Child Artist | Bhavin Rabari, Chhello Show |
| Best Screenplay (Original) | Shahi Kabir, Nayattu |
| Best Screenplay (Adapted) | Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Utkarshini Vashishtha, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Dialogue Writer | Utkarshini Vashishtha & Prakash Kapadia, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Music Director (Songs) | Devi Sri Prasad, Pushpa |
| Best Music Direction (Background Music) | MM Keeravaani, RRR |
| Best Male Playback Singer | Kaala Bhairava, RRR |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shreya Ghoshal, Iravin Nizhal |
| Best Lyrics | Chandrabose, Konda Polam’s Dham Dham Dham |
| Best Hindi Film | Sardar Udham |
| Best Kannada Film | 777 Charlie |
| Best Malayalam Film | Home |
| Best Gujurati Film | Chhello Show |
| Best Tamil Film | Kadaisi Vivasayi |
| Best Telugu Film | Uppena |
| Best Maithili Film | Samanantar |
| Best Mishing Film | Boomba Ride |
| Best Marathi Film | Ekda Kaay Zala |
| Best Bengali Film | Kalkokkho |
| Best Assamese Film | Anur |
| Best Meiteilon Film | Eikhoigi Yum |
| Best Odiya Film | Pratikshya |
| Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director | Meppadiyan, Vishnu Mohan |
| Best Film on Social Issues | Anunaad – The Resonance |
| Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation | Aavasavyuham |
| Best Children’s Film | Gandhi and Co |
| Best Audiography (Location Sound Recordist) | Arun Asok & Sonu K P, Chavittu ‘Best Audiography (Sound Designer) |
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Best Feature Film: Rocketry
Rocketry is a biographical drama film based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer at ISRO, who was falsely accused of espionage and arrested in 1994. The film depicts his struggle to clear his name and his contribution to India’s space program.
The film is directed by R. Madhavan, who also plays the lead role of Nambi Narayanan. The film also stars Simran Bagga, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra and Misha Ghoshal. The film is co-produced by Madhavan’s Tricolour Films and Varghese Moolan Pictures.
The film won the Best Feature Film award for its “engaging and inspiring” portrayal of a “true Indian hero” who faced “injustice and humiliation” but never gave up on his “dreams and aspirations”. The film also won the Best Production Design award for its “authentic and realistic” recreation of the “period and atmosphere” of the story.
Best Director: Nikhil Mahajan, Godavari
Godavari is a Marathi romantic comedy film that revolves around a young couple who run away from their families to get married. However, they end up on a cruise ship that is hijacked by a group of terrorists. The film showcases their love story amid the chaos and danger.
The film is directed by Nikhil Mahajan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Omkar Datt. The film stars Priyadarshan Jadhav, Sonalee Kulkarni, Neena Kulkarni and Anand Ingle. The film is produced by Everest Entertainment and Blue Drop Films.
The film won the Best Director award for its “innovative and refreshing” take on a “conventional genre” that blends “humour and thrill” with “emotions and values”. The film also won the Best Marathi Film award for its “entertaining and engaging” depiction of a “contemporary Marathi society” that faces “challenges and conflicts” with “courage and humour”.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: RRR
RRR is a Telugu period action drama film that fictionalises the lives of two Indian freedom fighters, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, who fought against the British Raj in the early 20th century. The film explores their friendship and their rebellion against the oppressors.
The film is directed by S.S. Rajamouli, who also co-wrote the screenplay with K.V. Vijayendra Prasad. The film stars N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn and Olivia Morris. The film is produced by DVV Entertainments.
The film won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award for its “spectacular and grandiose” presentation of a “historical saga” that combines “action and drama” with “patriotism and heroism”. The film also won the Best Music Direction (Background Music) award for its “epic and majestic” score that enhances the “mood and impact” of the film.
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration: The Kashmir Files
The Kashmir Files is a Hindi thriller film that exposes the truth behind the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in 1990. The film follows a journalist who investigates the mass killings and atrocities committed by Islamic militants and their supporters. The film also explores the plight and struggle of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits who are still waiting for justice and rehabilitation.
The film is directed by Vivek Agnihotri, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Abhijit Choudhary. The film stars Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty and Arya Babbar. The film is produced by I Am Buddha Production.
The film won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for its “courageous and honest” portrayal of a “tragic and forgotten” chapter of Indian history that highlights the “human rights violations and genocide” of a “minority community” in their own homeland. The film also won the Best Supporting Actress award for Pallavi Joshi, who played the role of a Kashmiri Pandit woman who lost her family in the violence.
Best Actor: Allu Arjun, Pushpa
Pushpa is a Telugu action thriller film that revolves around a lorry driver who smuggles red sandalwood from the forests of Andhra Pradesh. The film depicts his rise and fall in the illegal trade, as he faces various enemies and challenges along the way.
The film is directed by Sukumar, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Srinivas Rongali. The film stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil and Jagapathi Babu. The film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Muttamsetty Media.
The film won the Best Actor award for Allu Arjun, who played the role of Pushpa Raj, the lorry driver and smuggler. He delivered a “powerful and versatile” performance that showcased his “acting skills and charisma”. He also underwent a “physical transformation” to suit his character’s appearance and mannerisms. He also won the Best Male Playback Singer award for singing one of the songs in the film.
The film also won the Best Music Director (Songs) award for Devi Sri Prasad, who composed a “catchy and energetic” soundtrack that matched the “mood and theme” of the film.
Best Actress: Alia Bhatt, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti Sanon, Mimi
Gangubai Kathiawadi is a Hindi biographical crime drama film that tells the story of Gangubai Kothewali, a brothel owner and matriarch in the Kamathipura area of Mumbai in the 1960s. The film depicts her rise from a young girl sold into prostitution to a powerful and influential woman who had connections with the underworld and politicians.
The film is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Utkarshini Vashishtha. The film stars Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi and Shantanu Maheshwari. The film is produced by Bhansali Productions and Pen India Limited.
The film won the Best Actress award for Alia Bhatt, who played the role of Gangubai Kathiawadi. She delivered a “stunning and captivating” performance that showcased her “talent and range”. She also underwent a “physical and emotional transformation” to portray the character’s journey and personality.
The film also won the Best Screenplay (Adapted) award for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Utkarshini Vashishtha, who adapted the film from a chapter of Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. The film also won the Best Dialogue Writer award for Utkarshini Vashishtha and Prakash Kapadia, who wrote the “sharp and impactful” dialogues that enhanced the “drama and intensity” of the film. The film also won the Best Cinematography award for Ravi Varman, who captured the “atmosphere and aesthetics” of the film with his “brilliant and beautiful” visuals.
Mimi is a Hindi comedy-drama film that revolves around a surrogate mother who decides to keep the child after the biological parents abandon her. The film explores the themes of motherhood, family and identity.
The film is directed by Laxman Utekar, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Rohan Shankar. The film stars Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar and Manoj Pahwa. The film is produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios.
The film won the Best Actress award for Kriti Sanon, who played the role of Mimi Rathore, the surrogate mother. She delivered a “charming and convincing” performance that showcased her “comedy and emotion”. She also underwent a “physical change” to portray the character’s pregnancy and delivery.
The film also won the Best Supporting Actor award for Pankaj Tripathi, who played the role of Bhanu Pratap Singh, Mimi’s friend and agent. He delivered a “hilarious and heartwarming” performance that added to the “humour and sentiment” of the film.
Conclusion
This concludes the article on National Film Awards 2023 Winners list. We hope you enjoyed reading it and found it informative. We congratulate all the winners and nominees for their achievements and contributions to the Indian film industry. We also thank you for your time and attention. Stay tuned for more updates on the best of Indian cinema in 2023.
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