NEW DELHI: In a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on August 16 in New Delhi, Rishab Shetty and Nithya Menon emerged as top honorees, with Manoj Bajpayee’s Gulmohar securing multiple accolades.

Malayalam superstar Mammootty, who had been a strong contender with his acclaimed performances, faced stiff competition from Kannada star Rishab Shetty and Hindi actor Vikrant Massey. However, it was Shetty who clinched the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance in Kantara.

Nithya Menon and Manasi Parekh shared the Best Actress award for their roles in Thiruchitrambhalam and Kutch Express respectively, highlighting the diversity and depth of talent across Indian cinema. Gulmohar, starring Manoj Bajpayee, was another big winner, securing the Best Hindi Film award and receiving a Special Mention, further solidifying its critical acclaim.

The jury, led by notable industry figures including Rahul Rawail, Nila Madhab Panda, and Gangadhar Mudalair, also awarded Aatam by Aanand Ekarshi as Best Film, while Sooraj R. Barjatya was recognized as Best Director for Uunchai.

The awards also celebrated achievements in technical categories, with Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 receiving Best Cinematography, and Brahmastra: Part 1 – Shiva earning accolades for its music and visual effects. In the non-feature film category, Ayena by Siddhant Sarin took home the Best Non-Feature Film award.

These awards, recognizing films certified between January 1 and December 31, 2022, will culminate in a grand ceremony in October 2024, where President Droupadi Murmu will present the honors.