Actor Rishab Shetty is overjoyed as he clinched the Best Actor in a Leading Role award at the 70th National Film Awards for his performance in the critically acclaimed film Kantara. Shetty, who also directed the film, expressed his heartfelt gratitude and attributed the success to his entire team.
In a heartfelt statement, Shetty shared, “This has been possible because of my entire team. I am just the face of the film, it is all because of their hard work. The production house, the DOP, the technicians, it is all because of them.” He further expressed his appreciation for his fans, saying, “I want to thank the people of Karnataka. I want to thank the National Awards panel for recognizing this film. The people have made this film a hit, and I am very happy. I want to dedicate this win to the people of Karnataka.”
Set against the backdrop of the fictional village of Dakshina Kannada, Kantara features Shetty in a dual role. The film revolves around his character, a Kambala champion, who clashes with an upright Forest Range officer. The movie, which was released on September 30, 2022, also won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award at the ceremony.
Shetty’s dedication and hard work were complemented by the efforts of the film’s production house, Vijay Kiragandur, and the entire crew. The film’s gripping narrative and powerful performances have earned it widespread acclaim and a prominent place in the National Film Awards.
The 70th National Film Awards were announced on Friday in the national capital. The awards, overseen by a distinguished jury including Rahul Rawail (Chairperson, Feature Films Jury), Nila Madhab Panda (Chairperson, Non-Feature Films Jury), and Gangadhar Mudaliar (Chairperson, Best Writing on Cinema Jury), recognized excellence in Indian cinema for the year 2022.
In addition to Shetty’s accolades, the awards saw the Malayalam film Aattam win Best Feature Film, and the documentary Murmurs Of The Jungle was honored with the Best Documentary award. The Best Book on Cinema was awarded to Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography, authored by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar.
Overall, the 70th National Film Awards celebrated the diverse and exceptional talent in Indian cinema, with Kantara standing out as a testament to the impactful storytelling and stellar performances that define the industry.
