70th National Film Awards Announced; ‘Daman’ Wins Best Odia Film

New Delhi: In a year dominated by big-budget blockbusters like “Kantara” and “KGF: Chapter 2,” the 70th National Film Awards that was announced today by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, reflected the popular sentiment.  Odia film “Daman,” a critically acclaimed movie based on real-life incidents, has won the prestigious Best Odia Film award at the 2024 National Film Awards, announced on Friday.

The 2024 National Awards declaration saw “Kantara” emerging as the biggest winner. The film not only bags the Best Popular Film award but also witnesses its lead, Rishab Shetty, winning the Best Actor award for his stellar performance. The sequel to the highly successful “KGF,” “KGF: Chapter 2,” continues its winning streak, being named the Best Kannada Film and winning the Best Action Direction category.

The Odia film “Daman,” directed by Debi Prasad Lenka and Vishal Mourya, has been praised for its gripping portrayal of the challenges faced by a doctor working in a remote area of Odisha. The film’s success at the National Awards is a significant achievement for the regional cinema of Odisha, which often struggles to find a place in the mainstream Indian film industry. The film has been lauded for its authentic depiction of the socio-economic issues in the state, along with its powerful performances and direction.

“Gulmohar” was named the Best Hindi Film, while Pritam and AR Rahman were honored for their musical contributions to “Brahmastra” and “Ponniyin Selvan 2,” respectively. Nithya Menon and Manasi Parekh shared the Best Actress award, showcasing the diversity and strength of female performances this year. Sooraj R Barjatya was awarded Best Director for “Uunchai,” a film that has been widely appreciated for its emotional depth and storytelling.

Odia filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda was also the chairperson of the jury of the  non-feature films section.

The National Film Awards continue to be a platform that celebrates the richness and diversity of Indian cinema, with films from various regions and languages being honored.

Complete List of 2024 National Film Awards Winners:

• Best Feature Film: Aattam
• Best Popular Film: Kantara
• Best Actor: Rishab Shetty, Kantara
• Best Actress: Nithya Menon and Manasi Parekh
• Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya, Uunchai
• Best Supporting Actress: Neena Gupta
• Best Supporting Actor: Pawan Malhotra
• Best Debut: Fouja, Pramod Kumar
• Best Telugu Film: Kartikeya 2
• Best Tamil Film: Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1
• Best Punjabi Film: Baaghi Di Dhee
• Best Odia Film: Daman
• Best Malayalam Film: Soudi Velakka CC.225/2009
• Best Marathi Film: Vaalvi
• Best Kannada Film: KGF: Chapter 2
• Best Hindi Film: Gulmohar
• Special Mentions: Manoj Bajpayee in Gulmohar, Sanjoy Salil Chowdhury for Kalikhan
• Best Action Direction: KGF: Chapter 2
• Best Choreography: Tiruchitrabalam
• Best Lyrics: Fouja
• Best Music Director: Pritam (Songs), AR Rahman (Background Score)
• Best Makeup: Aparajito
• Best Costumes: Kutchh Express
• Best Production Design: Aparajito
• Best Editing: Aattam
• Best Sound Design: Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1
• Best Screenplay: Aattam
• Best Dialogues: Gulmohar
• Best Cinematography: Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1
• Best Female Playback: Soudi Velakka CC.225/2009 (Female), Brahmastra (Male)