The 70th National Award ceremony kicked off with a buzz of excitement as Best Actor Rishab Shetty, accompanied by his lovely wife Pragathi Shetty, made a grand entrance to claim his well-deserved award for his stellar performance in Kantara. The air was filled with anticipation as the talented Nithya Menen, graced by the presence of her proud parents, prepared to accept the prestigious Best Actress award. And let’s not forget the legendary AR Rahman, who exuded charm and grace as he strutted in solo, radiating elegance and style.
The star-studded event, held on October 8, 2024, was a night to remember as Rishab Shetty clinched the award for his captivating role in Kantara, while Nithya Menen shone bright for her outstanding performance in the Dhanush starrer Thiruchitrambalam. The Best Actress honor was also shared by the talented Manasi Parekh for her remarkable portrayal in the Gujarati film Kutch Express.
In addition, AR Rahman was bestowed with the National Award for Best Music Director (Background Score) for his exceptional work in the Mani Ratnam masterpiece, Ponniyin Selvan Part 1. The accolades didn’t stop there, as Rishab Shetty’s Kantara also secured the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, adding to the list of well-deserved recognitions.
The South Indian film industry saw a wave of success with acclaimed films like KGF Chapter 2 (Kannada), Saudi Vellakka CC.225/2009 (Malayalam), Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 (Tamil), and Kartikeya 2 (Telugu) taking home the Best Film awards in their respective languages. Not to mention, the Malayalam gem Aattam was crowned as the Best Feature Film of the year, showcasing the diversity and richness of Indian cinema.
The spirit of creativity and talent was palpable as actors and filmmakers from all corners of the country were honored, etching their names into the annals of Indian cinema history.
Looking ahead, National Award winners Rishab Shetty and Nithya Menen are gearing up for their next big projects. Nithya Menen is set to enchant audiences in the upcoming film Kadhalikka Neramillai, a romantic comedy helmed by the talented director Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, starring the charismatic Jayam Ravi. Additionally, she has exciting ventures like Dear Exes and Idli Kadai in her pipeline, with the latter being Dhanush’s third directorial venture after Pa Paandi and Raayan.
Meanwhile, Rishab Shetty is diving into the creation of his next cinematic masterpiece, Kantara: Chapter 1, serving as a prequel to his award-winning film. With Shetty once again taking the reins as director, audiences can expect a captivating journey into the world of Kantara, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience.
