New Delhi: The Malayalam film industry stole the show at the 67th National Film Awards winning at least four major categories on Monday. Priyadarshan-Mohanlal combo's big-budget period movie 'Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham' was adjudged the Best Feature Film while Gireesh Gangadharan won the Best Cinematographer in Feature Film category for 'Jallikattu'.
Mathukutty Xavier won the Best Debut Director for the feature film 'Helen'. Ranjith won the Best Makeup Artist Award for his work in the same film.
Director Sajin Baabu's 'Biryani', which won multiple international awards, received a Special Mention by the jury.
Renowned Malayalam poet Prabha Varma won the Best Lyrics for the movie 'Kolaambi'.
Rahul Riji Nair's 'Kalla Nottam' has been selected as the Best Malayalam Feature Film of the year.
The winners were announced at a press conference at the National Media Centre, New Delhi. There were 461 films in the feature film category and 220 films in the non-feature film category. In the most film-friendly states category, there were entries from 13 states.
Here is the full list of the winners:
Most film-friendly state: Sikkim
Best film on family values (non-feature): Oru Paathira Swapnam Pole by Sharan Gopal
Best Feature Film: Marakkar Lion of the Arabian Sea (Malayalam)
Best Actor: Manoj Bajpayee for Bhonsle and Dhanush for Asuran
Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut (Manikarnika, Panga)
Best Supporting Actress: The Tashkent Files, Pallavi Joshi
Best Supporting Actor: Super Deluxe, Vijay Sethupathi
Best Direction: Bahattar Hoorain
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of Director: Mathukutty Xavier (Helen)
Best Children Film: Kastoori (Hindi)
Best Cinematography: Girish Gangadharan for Jallikattu (Malayalam)
Best Female Playback Singer: Savani Ravindra for Bardo (Marathi)
Best Male PLayback Singer: B Praak for Kesari, Teri Mitti (Hindi)
Best song: Viswasam (Tamil)
Best Music Direction: Prabuddha Banerjee for Jyeshthoputro
Best Lyrics: Prabha Varma for Kolaambi (Malayalam)
Original Screenplay: Jyeshthoputro
Adapted Screenplay: Gumnaami
Dialogue Writer: The Tashkent Files (Hindi)
Best Stunt: Avane Srimannarayana (Kannada)
Best Choreography: Maharshi (Telugu)
Best Special Effects: Sidharth Priyadarshan for Marakkar
Make-Up Artist: Ranjith for Helen
Best Production Design: Anandi Gopal
Best Editing: Jersey (Telugu)
Best Audiography: Lewduh (Khasi)
Special Jury Award: Oththa Seruppu Size-7 (Tamil)
Special Mention: Biriyaani (Malayalam), Jonaki Porua (Assamese), Lata Bhagwan Kare (Marathi), Picasso (Marathi)
Best Film on Environment Conservation: Water Burial
Best Malayalam Film: Kalla Nottam
Best Tulu Film: Pingara
Best Paniya Film: Kenjira
Best Mishing Film: Anu Ruwad
Best Khasi Film: Lewduh
Best Haryanvi Film: Chhoriyan Chhoron Se Kam Nahi Hoti
Best Chattisgarhi Film: Bhulan The Maze
Best Telugu Film: Jersey
Best Tamil Film: Asuran
Best Punjabi Film: Rab Da Radio 2
Best Odiya Film: Sala Budhar Badla and Kalira Atita
Best Manipuri Film: Eigi Kona
Best Marathi Film: Bardo
Best Konkani Film: Kaajro
Best Kannada Film: Akshi
Best Hindi Film: Chhichhore
Best Bengali Film: Gumnaami
Best Assamese Film: Ronuwa- Who Never Surrender
In 2019, the National Film Awards was delayed owing to the general elections. The winners were announced in August while the ceremony took place in December. Filmmaker Rahul Rawail also added it would be unfair to have the National Film Awards ceremony in 2021 with hardly any films releasing in 2020.