The actors and technicians of South Indian cinema rejoice in their magnificent victory at the 69th National Film Awards which were announced on 24 August.
Published Aug 24, 2023 | 10:04 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 25, 2023 | 12:04 PM
Director Kiranraj K with Charlie during the shoot of '777 Charlie'. (Kiranraj K/ Instagram)
The 69th National Film Awards seem to have brought cheers to movie buffs and also actors and technicians in South Indian cinema.
While South Indian films have put up a tough fight against Bollywood this year, Telugu cinema has hogged the limelight by dominating the National Awards.
Celebrations erupted across the nation soon after the winners were announced on Thursday, 24 August. Wishes started pouring in on social media as fans and film lovers besides (South Indian film) industry insiders took to their respective handles to greet their favourite actors and technicians for bagging the honours.
Meanwhile, here’s what the winners said about their grand victory:
Critically acclaimed Kannada film 777 Charlie (2022) has been adjudged the best Kannada feature film at the 69th National Film Awards.
The movie revolves around Dharma (Rakshit), a hopeless man who leads his life in ruins until an abused pup named Charlie walks in and changes it completely for good.
777 Charlie director Kiranraj K, who is apparently elated with the announcement of the award, told South First that it took around five years for him to bring out the film — right from the day he started writing the script to the date of its release.
“All these years of my hard work paid off and my efforts have been recognised at the national level. I can’t thank the jury enough for the Best Kannada Film Award,” he remarked.
Kiranraj further added, “After working as an associate director for Kirik Party (2016), I did nothing but dedicate my entire time to writing the script for 777 Charlie. The writing part itself took more than one-and-a-half years. Thereafter, Rakshit Shetty gave the project his full time since the character had two major changes in two different timelines.”
Caught the moment in the camera❤️ Amma’s excitement says it all☺️❤️
#777Charlie #NationalFilmAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/NsWLMFivPk
— Kiranraj K (@Kiranraj61) August 24, 2023
Meanwhile, under the non-feature film, actor-director Aniruddha Jatkar got a special mention for his documentary Baale Bangara which was based on veteran actor and his mother-in-law Bharathi Vishnuvardhan.
Also, director Jacob Verghese’s non-feature film Ayushmaan, which revolves around the journey of two 14-year-old HIV-positive underprivileged boys from rural India who take up a liking towards running marathons, has been declared the best exploration/adventure film (to include sports).
Similarly, senior journalist Subramanya Badoor has been specifically mentioned in the Critic category.
Malayalam actor Indrans received a special jury mention for his stellar performance in Home (2021).
The actor was upset when his movie was not recognised during the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards.
“Who doesn’t like winning an award? But winning a National Award is a moment beyond words. I am extremely happy now, though I was disappointed earlier for not getting recognised by the jury of Kerala State Film Awards,” the actor told the media.
When asked if the National Award would make him a more responsible actor, he said, on a lighter note, “Well, I’m just a flexible actor!”
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Meanwhile, filmmaker Vishnu Mohan grabbed the Best Debutant Director Award for his movie Meppadiyan (2022).
The director told the media that the award came as a pleasant surprise for him.
“Lead actor Unni Mukundan gave his best to the film. Similarly, the crew made extra efforts to complete the shooting and post-production after the Covid-19 pandemic played a spoilsport with our schedules,” he recalled.
Upon its release, Meppadiyan was criticised for favouring the right-wing parties.
Unni Mukundan, who also produced the flick, told the media that he faced several difficulties while shooting the movie. “But then, it’s a happy moment to bag the prestigious award,” he added.
Congratulations dear, Vishnu. I’m extremely proud today. UMF is proud. Our parents and friends are proud of you. Everyone from team #Meppadiyan is proud. This is a big achievement. Prayers and wishes for all your future endeavours.
With love, Unni @umfpvtltd @vishnumohandir pic.twitter.com/DrkHHbCuJc— Unni Mukundan (@Iamunnimukundan) August 24, 2023
Two Tamil feature films won honours at the 69th National Film Awards 2023.
A poster of the film ‘Kadaisi Vivasayi’. (Twitter)
Critically acclaimed Kadaisi Vivasayi (2021), directed by Manikandan and featuring the late actor Nallandi in the lead, won awards for Best Regional Film (Tamil) and Special Mention.
Singer Shreya Ghoshal won the Best Singer (Female) award for the Tamil song “Mayava Thuyava” from director Parthiban’s Iravin Nizhal.
Director Manikandan, who reacted to the news of his film winning two National Awards a day after the announcement, said that the honour would motivate him to make more such films.
He also thanked the members of the jury for bestowing the honour on his film and remembered that the late Nallandi sir breathed life into the character and made people celebrate Kadaisi Vivasayi.
Further, the director thanked the people of the village where he shot his film and also the production houses — Vijaysethupathi Productions and 7CS Entertainments for helping him take the movie to the masses across the world.
Thanking actor Vijay Sethupathi, Manikandan said he not only acted in his film but also played a crucial part in enabling him to make it.
Music direcor AR Rahman and singer Shreya Ghoshal. (Twitter)
Meanwhile, director Parthiban expressed his happiness over singer Shreya Ghoshal winning the Best Singer award for her song “Mayava Thuyava” in his film Iravin Nizhal.
AR Rahman composed the music for the flick.
Parthiban said, “When Chandrayaan 3 landed on the moon, besides the scientists, everyone who worked in that facility was happy. Similarly, as one of those who worked on Iravin Nizhal, I am proud and happy that Shreya Ghoshal won the National Award for the ‘Mayava Thuyava‘ song.”
He noted, “My heartfelt thanks go to my film’s scientist and music director AR Rahman. I waited long to work with him and that wait was rewarded with a lot of respect in the form of awards, including 120 international ones. Although the respect and recognition I got for Iravin Nizhal was huge, there was huge expectation when it came to our National Awards.”
Parthiban added, “My heartfelt thanks to AR Rahman sir and Shreya Ghoshal who are the reasons for Iravin Nizhal making it to the winners’ list. I am also thankful to all the technicians who worked on my film.”
R Madhavan’s Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022) walked away with the Best Feature Film award, leaving the actor “speechless.”
Madhavan took to X to share his happiness, the actor Thanking the jury said, “Wish you the Happiest Birthday yet Amma.. All yours, Appa’s and Nambi Sirs Blessings. A Heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to all the jury members of the National Award”
He further added, “Rocketry and @NambiNOfficial. I don’t know what to say. For once Truly speechless”.
Wish you the Happiest Birthday yet Amma.. All yours, Appa’s and Nambi Sirs Blessings. A Heartfelt “Thank You” to all the jury members of the National Award, @MIB_India Shri @ianuragthakur Ji and all in his team. Thank you for the auspicious, beginning in Cannes. Team Rocketry… pic.twitter.com/nkEVEASKqj
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) August 24, 2023
R Madhavan with the scientist Nambi Narayanan. (ActorMadhavan/ Twitter)
Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan also expressed happiness after the movie, based on his life story, won the Best Feature Film.
“I am very happy now,” Narayanan told the media. With the national recognition, the movie will now get more publicity, and more people will watch it, the scientist added.
After a 24-year legal battle, Narayanan had in 2018 managed to get his name cleared in the controversial espionage case.
The espionage case, which hit the headlines in 1994, pertained to allegations of transfer of certain confidential documents on India’s space programme to foreign countries by two scientists and four others, including two Maldivian women.
Narayanan had to spend close to two months in jail before the CBI concluded the allegations against him were false. The case was first investigated by the Kerala state police and later handed over to the central agency, which found the allegations to be false.
Another predictable winner is the Telugu industry’s recent epic, RRR (2022), which swept a bagful of awards for music direction (background), choreography, special effects, stunt choreography, a male playback singer, as well as the Best Popular Film providing Wholesome entertainment prompting SS Rajamouli to go “Its a sixeRRR,” on X.
It’s a SIXERRR… Congratulations to the entire team of RRR on winning national awards. Thanks to the jury for the recognition..:)
Bhairi, Prem Master, Peddanna, Srinivas Mohan garu, Solomon Master 🥰🥰
— rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) August 24, 2023
“Congratulations to the entire team of RRR on winning national awards. Thanks to the jury for the recognition..Bhairi, Prem Master, Peddanna, Srinivas Mohan garu, Solomon Master “, he said in a post on the social media platform.
The 2021 National Awards were announced by filmmaker Ketan Mehta who headed the 11-member jury.
(With PTI inputs)
