Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar won the best actor award for his portrayal of a patriotic naval officer in Rustom, while a Marathi movie about depression, Kasaav, was declared the best feature film at the 64th National Film Awards on Friday.

The awards, given out in various language segments, saw Bollywood movies like Pink, Neerja and Dangal score in key categories.

Rustom, a courtroom drama directed by Tinu Suresh Desai, is loosely based on the 1959 Nanavati murder case. Akshay took to Twitter to express his gratitude over his surprise win.

“Thank you is a very small word right now, but I don’t know how else to express how I am feeling right now... Rustom was a very special role to play.

“Being able to wear the uniform of Indian Navy itself is a huge honour, even if it’s just for a role,” Akshay said in a video message to his fans.

The actor said Sonam Kapoor, who received a special mention for her role in Neerja, was shooting with him and it was a double celebration for them on the sets of Padman.

Neerja, directed by Ram Madhvani, was named the best Hindi film. It is based on the 1986 hijacking incident in which which flight attendant Neerja Bhanot was killed by terrorists while saving passengers.

The Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Pink, a courtroom drama, won the award for best film on social issues.

Producer Shoojit Sircar dedicated the award to his team and to Bachchan, saying it would not have been possible to make the female-centric drama without the megastar’s support.

The jury, headed by Akshay’s frequent collaborator and filmmaker Priyadarshan, named Surabhi CM as the best actress for her role in the Malayalam film Minnaminungu-The Firefly.

Dhanak was named the best children’s film, while the Telugu movie Sathamanam Bhavathi was chosen as the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.

The Nargis Dutt award for best feature film award on national integration went to the Assamese film Dikchow Banat Palaax.

Marathi films excel

Marathi cinema was a big winner at the awards. “Kasaav got the best film award, which is a great thing, but another point of happiness is that the film deals with the theme of depression. The award definitely gives a boost to Marathi cinema. It is a proud moment for us,” co-director Sunil Sukthankar told PTI.

Besides Kasaav, Rajesh Mapuskar won the best director award for his film Ventilator. The movie, produced by actress Priyanka Chopra and her mother Madhu, also won the best editing and the best final mixed track awards.

The award for best adapted screenplay went to Dashakriya, which was also chosen the best Marathi film, while its actor Manoj Joshi was named the best supporting actor.

Kashmiri actress Zaira Wasim won the best supporting actress award for her performance as Geeta Phogat in the Aamir Khan-led wrestling drama Dangal. Ajay Devgan’s Shivaay won the award for best special effects.

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