69th National Film Awards Highlights: Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon Make It Big; RRR Wins 6 Awards

Kriti Sanon can't keep calm as she has won the best actress national award for her film Mimi. Sharing her excitement she wrote, "Elated, Overwhelmed, Grateful. Still sinking it in, pinching myself.. this has actually happened".

Allu Arjun created history today after he became the first actor from the Telugu Film Industry to win the national award for best actor. He had won the award for Pushpa: The Rise Part 1 and he broke into tears after his name was announced.

AS Gangubai Kathiawadi rocked the 69th National Film Awards, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is over the moon. He stated, "I’m happy for everybody who has won, my film and other films, and everybody, who has won. Good cinema gets acknowledged and a pat on the back from the government, and nationally and from a respectful jury, it always brings you joy"

As Alia Bhatt won a national award in the best actress category for her performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi, SS Rajamouli penned a sweet note for his Seetha from RRR. He tweeted, "Gangu chaand thi, aur chaand hi rahegi… Congratulations to our Seetha, @aliaa08 for winning the coveted prize for Gangubai Kathiawadi".

SS Rajamouli is over the moon as RRR has managed to win 6 National Awards today. Sharing his excitement he wrote, "It’s a SIXERRR… Congratulations to the entire team of RRR on winning national awards. Thanks to the jury for the recognition..:) Bhairi, Prem Master, Peddanna, Srinivas Mohan garu, Solomon Master"

Days after his father's unfortunate demise, Pankaj Tripathi won a National Film Award in Best Support Actor category for his performance in Mimi. The actor was seen missing his father on the joyous occasion and said, "This is unfortunately a period of loss and grieving for me. If Babuji was around, he would have been really happy for me. When I first got the National award mention, he was very proud and pleased. This National Award I dedicate to him and his spirit. I’m who I’m today because of him. I’m in loss of words due to this time but I’m happy and grateful to the team. Kriti also has won the Best Actress, so a huge congratulations to her"

Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon have all the reason to beam with joy today and they won the Best Actress Nation Award for their performances in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi respectively

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi wins 5 National Awards In Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Dialogue Writer, Best Make Up Artist and Best Editor respectively

SS Rajamouli's RRR wins 6 National Awards In Best Music Director (Background Score), Best Stunt Choreographer (Telugu), Best Choreography (Telugu), Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertaiment (Telugu), Best Male Playback Singer (Telugu) and Best Special Effects respectively

Shoojit Sircar's Sardar Udham wins 5 National Awards In Re- Recording (Final Mixing), Production Designer, Costume Designer, Best Hindi Film and Best Cinematography respectively

Best Film Critic goes to Telugu Film Purushothama Charyulu

The much awaited 69th National Film Awards will begin at around 5 PM and will be live streamed on PIB India's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

It is reported that Biju Menon, Joju George and R Madhavan will be in a race for the best actor award at the 69th National Film Awards for their performances in Aarkkariyam, Nayattu and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect respectively

As the 69th National Film Awards are set to be announced today, it is reported that 4 actresses are in race for Best Actress Award - Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi, Kangana Ranaut for Thalaivi, Lijo Mol for Jai Bhim and Revathy for Bhootkalam