Bollywood dominates 66th National Film Awards

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Bollywood won big at the National Film Awards on Friday, with “Uri: The Surgical Strike” bagging the most number of prizes.

Gujarati-language film “Hellaro” was crowned the best Indian film of 2018, while “Chalo Jeete Hai”, a short film based on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was named the best film on family values.

“Uri: The Surgical Strike” – based on a September 2016 attack that India said hit terrorist camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir – took home at least four honors, including best director for Aditya Dhar.

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One of the year’s biggest hits, the film enjoyed patronage from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of his political party, who quoted a dialogue from the film during the run-up to the Indian general elections.

For his role as an army major in the film, actor Vicky Kaushal won the best actor award – an honour he shared with fellow Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who won acclaim for his portrayal of a blind man in “Andhadhun”.

Telugu actor Keerthy Suresh won the best actress award for her portrayal of yesteryear Indian film star Savitri in the Telugu-language film, “Mahanati”.

“Badhaai Ho”, a family comedy about an older couple, and “Padman” – based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, who created a machine to produce low-cost sanitary napkins – won awards titled ‘Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment’ and ‘Best Film on Social Issues’, respectively.

The awards will be handed out at a ceremony at a later date.

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