The 66th National Film Awards were declared on Friday. The best actor award was shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (Andhadhun) and Vicky Kaushal (Uri:The Surgical Strike). Keerthy Suresh bags best actress for Mahanati, for portraying a 'range of emotions in a biopic'. Jury head Rahul Rawail, non feature film jury head A.S. Kanal, Jury head for the best writing Utpal Bhojpuari were present at National Film Awards 2019 announcement.
Andhadhun was also adjudged best Hindi film. The Best Director award went to Uri director Aditya Dhar. Uri also bagged two other awards—best background music and best sound design.
Award for best supporting actor was bagged by Marathi actor Swanand Kirkire (Chumbak), and that was best supporting actress went to Surekha Sikri (Badhaai Ho).
While Badhaai Ho bagged the award for the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment, Akshay Kumar-starrer Padman which addressed the subject of menstrual hygiene in India, bagged the award for the best film on social issues.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali bagged the award for best music direction for his work on Padmaavat. Padmaavat's 'Ghoomar' song also bagged the award for best choreography. Arijit Singh bagged the award for best male playback singer for the rendition of 'Binte Dil' in Padmaavat.
Every year the winners of the awards are announced in April and the presentation ceremony is held on May 3, which is when India's first feature film is said to have its theatrical release in 1913. However, in April the ministry announced that the National Film Awards will be declared after the Lok Sabha elections.
