Entertainment HIGHLIGHTS: 70th National Film Awards Winners Announced; Rishab Shetty Is Best Actor

Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan, has captivated audiences worldwide with its immensely intriguing story, leaving a significant impact on viewers across the globe. With its heartwarming and relatable narrative, the film has carved out a special place in the hearts of audiences, resonating with people of all age groups, particularly families who have flocked to theaters in droves. This success has culminated in Dunki receiving a prestigious honor at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 (IFFM), where it was awarded the prize for Equality in Cinema. This recognition at IFFM is a testament to Rajkumar Hirani's mastery in storytelling, as Dunki stands out amid the rush of massive action-packed cinema. Known for his ability to weave stories that blend humor, emotion, and social commentary, Hirani once again delivers a narrative that speaks about love, humanity, and the experiences of people who crossed borders through the 'Dunki way.' The film's focus on such a poignant issue, combined with its universal appeal, makes it a deserving recipient of the award for Equality in Cinema. Rajkumar Hirani, often regarded as one of the finest filmmakers in Indian cinema, has consistently brought socially relevant topics to the forefront through his films. With Dunki, he continues this tradition, creating a cinematic experience that not only entertains but also educates and inspires. His vision and storytelling prowess have made Dunki a standout piece in his already illustrious filmography. The film features an ensemble cast, with colorful characters portrayed by exceptionally talented actors Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover, along with Shah Rukh Khan. A JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, and Rajkumar Hirani Films presentation, produced by Rajkumar Hirani and Gauri Khan, Dunki was penned by Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, and Kanika Dhillon. The film hit the big screen on December 21, 2023, and continues to leave its mark globally.

"I am truly honored by this National Award for 'KGF Chapter 2.' My deepest gratitude goes to Yash for his extraordinary performance and to the entire team and the crew for their relentless dedication. A heartfelt thank you to our audience for their unwavering support and to the media for their vital role in this journey. Congratulations to Rishab Shetty and Hombale Films for their well-deserved recognition with 'Kantara.' This achievement is a shining moment for Kannada cinema and I’m grateful to everyone who made this possible,"Prashanth Neel said in a statement.

Jio Studios and Aamir Khan Productions' Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, has won the hearts of the audience with its heartwarming story and humor. The film received tremendous love from the audience and enjoyed a phenomenal run in theaters and on OTT platforms. This has made the film shine at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 (IFFM), where it won the Best Film Critics' Choice Award. Laapataa Ladies is creating waves at IFFM, having won the prestigious Best Film Critics' Choice Award. This is indeed a magnificent win for the film, adding yet another feather to its cap. Moreover, the film was recently shown at the Supreme Court of India, which is another remarkable achievement.

Saif Ali Khan is set to appear in Devara Part 1, alongside Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor. On his birthday today, the makers have unveiled the first look of his character, Bhaira. The announcement has quickly gone viral, with the team also revealing that the initial glimpse of the film will be released today.

The National Award Winners for 2024 were announced on Friday, August 16, with Kantara and KGF Chapter 2 leading the accolades. Kantara secured the Best Picture award, while Rishab Shetty won Best Actor for his performance in the film. KGF Chapter 2, starring Yash, was honored as Best Kannada Film. Gulmohar took the prize for Best Hindi Film. The Best Actress award was shared by Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh, and Sooraj R. Barjatya received the Best Director award for Uunchai. In music, Pritam was awarded Best Music Director for Brahmastra, and AR Rahman won Best Background Music for his work on Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan 2. Anand Krishnamurthy from Ponniyin Selvan 2 also won Best Sound Design. Arijit Singh earned Best Playback Singer (Male) for Brahmastra, which also received the Best VFX Award.

The winners of the 70th National Film Awards have been announced today (August 16) and Rishabh Shetty has received the Best Actor award for his performance in Kantara. Big congratulations to the Tollywood star.

Since it was revealed that Jr. NTR will be joining Hrithik Roshan in the sequel War 2, fans have been eagerly awaiting the completion of the film's shoot. The excitement has been further fueled by reports that the movie will feature a high-energy dance number, blending elements from Jai Jai Shivshankar and Naatu Naatu from War and RRR, respectively. Amidst this buzz, an old video of Jr. NTR praising Hrithik Roshan’s dance skills has resurfaced, capturing widespread attention. In a throwback video, when asked who the better dancer is between himself and Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR responded, "Hrithik, any day. I'm nothing compared to Hrithik. Seriously, trust me."

For those who are unaware, the winners of the 70th National Film Awards will be announced at a press conference by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at 3 pm today (August 16).

Recent reports suggest that the winners for the 70th National Film Awards are anticipated to be revealed today (August 16). In Bollywood, Vikrant Massey and his film 12th Fail are receiving considerable attention. He's said to be another contender for the Best Actor honor besides Mammootty and Rishabh Shetty. 12th Fail was one of the most-successful and critically acclaimed films of last year. A section of moviegoers think that Vikrant also has a good chance of bagging the award. Now, it'll be interesting to see if he'll be able to beat Mammootty and Risbhabh Shetty or not.

Hrithik Roshan has called for severe punishment for those accused in the Kolkata rape and murder case. On Thursday night, the Fighter actor took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to share a lengthy note demanding justice. He emphasized the need to put an end to such horrific incidents and stated that this can only be achieved by imposing strict penalties on the perpetrators. “Yes we need to evolve into a society where we ALL feel equally safe. But that is going to take decades. It’s going to hopefully happen with sensitizing and empowering our sons and daughters. The next generations will be better. We will get there. Eventually. But what in the interim? Right now justice would be to put a hard stop to such atrocities. And the only way to do that is a punishment so harsh that it scares the living daylights out of such perpetrators. That’s what we need. Perhaps?” Hrithik wrote.

Amar Kaushik's highly anticipated sequel, Stree 2, has made a remarkable impact at the box office, setting a new record for 2024 with an impressive first-day collection of ₹54.35 crore in India. Released on Independence Day, the film has not only exceeded expectations but has also become the year's biggest opener. Featuring Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi, Stree 2 continues the success of its 2018 predecessor. According to Sacnilk.com, the film earned ₹8 crore during special premiere shows on Wednesday, followed by a staggering ₹46 crore on its official release day. This combined total of ₹54.35 crore has set a new benchmark, surpassing previous hits like Kalki 2898 AD and Fighter.

The 70th National Film Awards for 2024 will be announced tomorrow, August 16. This esteemed ceremony will celebrate films that received certification between January 1 and December 31, 2022. The National Film Development Corporation of India will host the event to acknowledge the finest achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2022. Initially planned for May 3, 2023, the ceremony was postponed to October 2024 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.