The 70th National Film Awards have marked a historic moment for South cinema. With several celebrated films and actors achieving significant accolades. This year, South Indian films have garnered attention and praise, highlighting the region’s burgeoning talent and storytelling prowess.
National Film Awards 2024 Winners and Prize Money
The National Film Awards are divided into two primary categories. The Swarna Kamal Awards (golden lotus), which honor the highest achievements. And the Rajat Kamal Awards (silver lotus), which recognize various aspects of filmmaking.
Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) Winners
The Swarna Kamal Awards, which include categories such as Best Film, Best Director, and Best Children’s Film, are the highest honors at the National Film Awards. Winners in these categories receive a cash prize of ₹3 lakh each.
This year, Aattam emerged as a significant winner. Its producer, Joy Movie Productions, and its director, Anand Ekarshi, being celebrated. Their work in Aattam earned them the Swarna Kamal for Best Feature Film, highlighting their contribution to the film’s success.
Another notable winner in this category is Pramod Kumar, the director of Fouja, who was honored for his exceptional direction.
In addition to these winners, Kantara achieved a remarkable feat by securing the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award. The film’s producer, Hombale Films LLP, and its director, Rishab Shetty, were each awarded ₹3 lakh for their contributions.
The Hindi film Brahmastra-Part 1: Shiva also made headlines by winning the Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comic). The film’s producer trio—Dharma Productions, Prime Focus, and Starlight Pictures—and its director, Ayan Mukerji, received the Swarna Kamal in recognition of their innovative approach to animation and visual effects.
Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) Recipients
The Rajat Kamal Awards honor various achievements across the film industry, including acting, screenplay, and music, with winners receiving a cash prize of ₹2 lakh each. These awards acknowledge excellence in categories that promote national, social, and environmental values, among others.
This year, Rishab Shetty was recognized with the Rajat Kamal for Best Actor for his role in Kantara, affirming his impressive performance. In the Best Actress category, the award was shared by Nithya Menen for Thiruchitrambalam and Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express, celebrating their outstanding contributions to their respective films. Arijit Singh also received the Rajat Kamal for Best Male Playback Singer.