National Film Awards: Allu Arjun wins Best Actor, Alia-Kriti share Best Actress award

The winners of the 69th National Film Awards were announced in Delhi at the National Media Centre today (August 24). The National Film Development Corporation of India (NDFC) honoured the best films of Indian cinema that were released in 2021. The event was supposed to take place on May 3, 2002, but was postponed owing to delays after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, the panel has announced the winners list in which Allu Arjun has been named the Best Actor while Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the award for Best Actress. Allu Arjun won the award for his blockbuster film Pushpa: The Rule, while Alia Bhatt bagged the award for her performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti for her film Mimi. 

Allu Arjun, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon bag top acting honours

It is Allu Arjun's first National Film Award. He won the award against Jr NTR, Ram Charan (RRR), Suriya (Jai Bhim), Dhanush (Karnan), Silambarasan TR (Maanadu), Arya (Sarpatta) aand Joju George (Nayattu).

Alia and Kriti are also the first-timer National Award winners. The contenders in the category were Kangana Ranaut (Thalivi), Lijo Mol (Jai Bhim) and Revathy (Bhoothakalam). 

About Gangubai Kathiawadi, Pushpa and Mimi

Released in 2022, Gangubai Kathiawadi is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film also stars Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh and Ajay Devgn. The film is about Gangubai Kothewali, whose life was documented in the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai written by S. Hussain Zaidi. The film depicts the rise of a simple girl from Kathiawad who had no choice but to embrace the ways of destiny and swing it in her favour.

Allu Arjun's Pushpa: The Rise – Part 01 is a  Telugu-language action drama film directed by Sukumar. It stars Allu Arjun  alongside Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna. The first installment in the Pushpa film series, the film depicts the rise of a coolie Pushpa Raj in the smuggling syndicate of red sandalwood, a rare wood that grows only in the Seshachalam Hills of Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh state.

The comedy-drama Mimi is directed by Laxman Utekar. The film is a remake of the 2011 Marathi film Mala Aai Vhhaychy!, it stars Kriti, who opts to be a surrogate mother for a foreign couple. Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar, Manoj Pahwa and Supriya Pathak.

(With inputs from IANS)