The 69th National Film Awards were recently announced, honoring the best films of 2021 in Indian cinema. The awards ceremony was originally scheduled to be held on May 3, 2022, but was postponed due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The winners were finally announced on August 24, 2023, by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in a press conference.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Rocketry |
| Best Director | Nikhil Mahajan, Godavari |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | RRR |
| Nargis Dutt Award for Best 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 Gujarati 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 Odia 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) | Aneesh Basu, Jhilli |
| Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track) | Sinoy Joseph, Sardar Udham |
| Best Choreography | Prem Rakshith, RRR |
| Best Cinematography | Avik Mukhopadhayay, Sardar Udham |
| Best Costume Designer | Veera Kapur Ee, Sardar Udham |
| Best Special Effects | Srinivas Mohan, RRR |
| Best Production Design | Dmitrii Malich and Mansi Dhruv Mehta, Sardar Udham |
| Best Editing | Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Makeup | Preetisheel Singh, Gangubai Kathiawadi |
| Best Stunt Choreography | King Soloman, RRR |
| Special Jury Award | Shershaah, Vishnuvardhan |
| Special Mention | 1. Late Shri Nallandi, Kadaisi Vivasayi 2. Aranya Gupta & Bithan Biswas, Jhilli 3. Indrans, Home 4. Jahanara Begum, Anur |
| Best Non-feature film | Ek Tha Gaon |
| Best Direction (Non-feature film) | Bakul Matiyani, Smile Please |
| Best Debut Non-Feature Film of a Director | Paanchika, Ankit Kothari |
| Best Anthropological Film | Fire on Edge |
| Best Biographical Film | Rukhu Matir Dukhu Majhi and Beyond Blast |
| Best Arts Films | T.N. Krishnan Bow Strings to Divine |
| Best Science & Technology Films | Ethos of Darkness |
| Best Promotional Film | Endangered Heritage ‘Warli Art’ |
| Best Environment Film (Non-feature film) | Munnam Valavu |
| Best Film on Social Issues (Non-feature film) | Mithu Di and Three Two One |
| Best Investigative Film | Looking For Challan |
| Best Exploration Film | Ayushman |
| Best Educational Film | Sirpigalin Sirpangal |
| Best Short Fiction Film | Dal Bhat |
| Best Animation Film | Kandittundu |
| Best Film on Family Values | Chand Saanse |
| Best Cinematography (Non-feature film) | Bittu Rawat, Pataal |
| Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track) (Non-feature film) | Unni krishnan, Ek Tha Gaon |
| Best Production Sound Recordist (Location/Sync Sound) (Non-feature film) | Suruchi Sharma, Meen Raag |
| Best Editing (Non-feature film) | Abhro Banerjee, If Memory Serves Me Right |
| Best Music Direction (Non-feature film) | Ishaan Divecha, Succelent |
| Best Narration/Voice Over (Non-feature film) | Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee, Hathibondhu |
| Special Mention (Non-feature film) | 1. Aniruddha Jatkar, Baale Bangara, 2. Srikanth Deva, Karuvarai, 3. Sweta Kumar Das, The Healing Touch, 4. Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Ek Duaa |
| Special Jury Award (Non-feature film) | Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe, Rekha |
| Best Book on Cinema | Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal: The Incredibly Melodious Journey by Rajiv Vijayakar |
| Best Film Critic | Purushothama Charyulu |
| Best Film Critic (Special Mention) | Subramanya Bandoor |
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is a 2022 Indian biographical drama film written, produced, and directed by R. Madhavan in his directorial debut. The film is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation, who was accused in the ISRO espionage case and later exonerated.
The film stars Madhavan as Narayanan, along with Simran, Rajit Kapoor, and Misha Ghoshal. It was released in India on July 1, 2022, in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and English languages.
Best Director
Nikhil Mahajan is a Marathi filmmaker who has been making waves in the Indian film industry with his unique and thought-provoking films. His latest film, Godavari
Best Actor
Allu Arjun is a popular Telugu actor who has starred in many successful films, including Arya, Race Gurram, and Sarrainodu. In 2021, he starred in the action drama film Pushpa: The Rise, which became a huge blockbuster.
Best Actress
Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon are two of the most popular and talented actresses in Bollywood. In 2022, they both starred in critically acclaimed films that earned them National Film Awards for Best Actress.
Best Supporting Actor
Pankaj Tripathi is a versatile actor who has starred in a wide range of films, from critically acclaimed arthouse dramas to commercial blockbusters. He is known for his naturalistic acting style and his ability to bring complex characters to life.
Best Supporting Actress
Pallavi Joshi is an Indian actress, writer, and film producer who works primarily in Hindi films and television. She is the recipient of three National Film Awards, and a nomination for the Filmfare Awards.
Best Child Artist
Bhavin Rabari is a Gujarati actor who rose to fame with his role in the 2021 film Chhello Show. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Rabari’s performance was praised by critics and audiences alike.