Rishab Shetty, renowned for his role in the film Kantara, was honored with the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role on Tuesday.
The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Upon receiving this prestigious accolade, Rishab expressed his commitment to creating films that drive societal change. “Every film has an impact. Our motive is to make films that bring about a change or impact in society…I thank the audience…National Awards are a very prestigious reward for an artist,” he stated.
Kantara also garnered the Best Popular Film award, recognized for its wholesome entertainment. The winners of the 70th National Film Awards were announced in August 2024.
Rishab credited his success to his dedicated team. “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,” he noted, acknowledging the contributions of the production house, cinematographer, and technicians. He further expressed gratitude to his fans, especially those from Karnataka, dedicating his award to them: “The people have made this film a hit; I am very happy.”
In addition to starring in Kantara, Rishab also directed the film and is preparing to release a prequel. The movie, set in the fictional village of Dakshina Kannada, features Rishab as a Kambala champion opposing a Forest Range officer. Kantara premiered in September 2022.
The awards ceremony also recognized notable performances in other films, with the Best Actress award shared by Nithya Menen for the Tamil film Thiruchitrambalam and Manasi Parekh for the Gujarati film Kutch Express. Sooraj R. Barjatya won the Best Director award for his work in Uunchai.
Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Awards are currently a year behind schedule. In 2023, actors Allu Arjun, Alia Bhatt, and Kriti Sanon received National Film Awards for their outstanding performances in Pushpa, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Mimi, respectively.
