The 71st National Film Awards celebrated the best of Indian cinema, with a significant spotlight on South Indian films and artists who clinched several major accolades.
South Indian Stars Shine Bright in Acting Categories
While Bollywood veterans Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji secured top acting honors for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, the South Indian film industry showcased immense talent in supporting roles.
Malayalam cinema saw veteran actor Vijayaraghavan win the Best Supporting Actor award for his compelling performance in “Pookkaalam.” Sharing the honor was Tamil star MS Bhaskar for his role in “Parking.”
In the Best Supporting Actress category, Urvashi was recognized for her powerful portrayal in the Malayalam film “Ullozhukku,” highlighting the depth of talent from the region. Additionally, Sukriti Veni Bandreddi was celebrated as Best Child Artist for “Gandhi Tatha Chettu.”
Technical Excellence Acknowledged
Beyond acting, South Indian films were lauded for their technical prowess and creative storytelling. Sai Rajesh Neelam for “Baby” and Ramkumar Balakrishna for “Parking” jointly received the award for Best Screenplay, showcasing compelling narratives.
The epic Malayalam survival drama “2018: Everyone is a Hero” earned Mohandas the award for Best Production Design, recognized for its meticulous creation of a realistic world. The Telugu blockbuster “Hanu-Man” was honored for its exceptional Action Choreography, a testament to its thrilling sequences.
Music and lyrics also garnered awards, with “Vaathi” winning for Best Music Direction (Songs) and Kasarla Shyam for Best Lyricist for the heartfelt song “Ooru Palletooru” from “Balagam.” PVNS Rohit was named Best Male Playback Singer for “Premisthunna” from “Baby.” Midhun Murali’s skillful work on “Pookkaalam” also secured the Best Editing award.
Best Regional Films Recognized
The awards also celebrated the finest films in various South Indian languages, acknowledging their cultural impact and cinematic quality.
The Malayalam film “Ullozhukku” was named Best Malayalam Film, further cementing its presence in this year’s awards. “Kandeelu” took home the honor for Best Kannada Film, while “Parking” was recognized as the Best Tamil Film. Finally, “Bhagavanth Kesari” was celebrated as the Best Telugu Film.
Key Takeaways from the South Indian Wins:
- Vijayaraghavan and MS Bhaskar shared the Best Supporting Actor award.
- Urvashi was recognized as Best Supporting Actress for “Ullozhukku.”
- “Hanu-Man” bagged the award for Best Action Choreography.
- “Parking” and “Pookkaalam” received multiple accolades across categories.
- “Ullozhukku,” “Kandeelu,” “Parking,” and “Bhagavanth Kesari” were named Best Films in their respective regional languages.
The 71st National Film Awards truly underscored the vibrant and diverse talent prevalent across South Indian cinema, reinforcing its strong position in the national landscape.
