National Film Awards: Legendary actor Waheeda Rehman conferred with Dada Saheb Phalke Award; Kriti Sanon, Alia Bhatt, Allu Arjun receive Best Actor Award

Draped in a beautiful cream saree, the teary-eyed actress received India's highest film accolade from President Droupadi Murmu. She expressed gratitude to the Bollywood industry for its significant role in her cinematic journey.

In her thank you speech, the Pyasa actress said, "I feel honoured and very humbled. But today where I stand, it's all because of the lovely industry I have been a part of. Luckily, I got an opportunity to work with top directors, producers, filmmakers, technicians and music directors, who supported me and showered me with lots of love and respect."

Waheeda Rehman continued, "Lastly makeup artists, hair and costume designers also deserve a special mention. Hence I want to share this award with all departments of the film industry. One  person cannot make an entire film, it's a collective effort."

Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon were conferred with the Best Actress award for their role in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi respectively.

The recipients of the 2021 National Awards, which were announced in August, also included Allu Arjun for Best Actor. Films like RRR, Sardar Udham, and The Kashmir Files received multiple awards. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was honoured as the Best Feature Film.

Alia Bhatt collected her Best Actress award draped in her wedding saree designed by Sabyasachi and completed the look with flowers in her hair. She was accompanied by her husband actor Ranbir Kapoor.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

On the red carpet, Alia Bhatt described the National Award for her as a ‘pinch me moment’ and the only word she could think today was ‘gratitude’, reported NDTV.

Much like Alia, Kriti Sanon appeared at the prestigious event clad in a cream-coloured saree and sported a hairdo adorned with flowers. Kriti, who jointly won the Best Actress award with Alia for her portrayal in the film Mimi, where she portrayed a surrogate mother, expressed feeling "blessed and fortunate" to take on such a multifaceted character. She noted that it resonated with her even before filming began.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

Allu Arjun, was honoured with the Best Actor accolade for his role in "Pushpa: The Rise," remarked on the red carpet that winning for a commercial film felt like a "double achievement," the NDTV report said.

He is a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, essaying the lead role of a gangster in "Pushpa: The Rise." He is slated to reprise this character in the sequel, "Pushpa: The Rule."

R Madhavan, who directed "Rocketry: The Nambi Effect," received the award for Best Feature Film. On the red carpet, he exclaimed, "My goodness, all the effort has paid off!" according to the report.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Karan Johar, and Apoorva Mehta, winners of the National Awards, departed from Mumbai before the ceremony. Allu Arjun, SS Rajamouli, and MM Keeravaani were seen at Delhi airport on Monday.

Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/ianuragthakur

Here is the list of winners in the feature film category.

BEST FILM - Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

BEST DIRECTOR - Nikhil Mahajan (Godavari)

BEST ACTRESS

Alia Bhatt (Gangubai Kathiawadi)

Kriti Sanon (Mimi)

BEST ACTOR - Allu Arjun (Pushpa: The Rise)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Pallavi Joshi (The Kashmir Files)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Pankaj Tripathi (Mimi)

BEST POPULAR FILM - RRR

BEST CHILD ARTIST - Bhavin Rabari (Chhello Show)

INDIRA GANDHI AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT OF A DIRECTOR - Meppadiyan (Vishnu Mohan)

BEST CHILDREN'S FILM - Gandhi And Co

NARGIS DUTT AWARD FOR BEST FILM ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION - The Kashmir Files

BEST HINDI FILM - Sardar Udham

BEST GUJARATI FILM - Chhello Show

BEST ASSAMESE FILM - Anur

BEST BENGALI FILM - Kalkokkho

BEST TELUGU FILM - Uppena

BEST TAMIL FILM - Kadaisi Vivasayi

BEST MALAYALAM FILM - Home

BEST KANNADA FILM - 777 Charlie

BEST MAITHILI FILM - Samanantar

BEST MISHING FILM - Boomba Ride

BEST MARATHI FILM - Ekda Kaay Zala

BEST ODIA FILM - Pratiksha