New Delhi: Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Monday presented the 66th National Film Awards under different categories at a function held here in Vigyan Bhawan.Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar and other senior dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan was unable to attend the National Film Awards ceremony due to ill health.At the beginning of the awards ceremony, it was announced that Bachchan, who has been named as the recipient of the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award, is unable to attend the ceremony due to ill health.
Director Sriram Raghavan was presented the Best Hindi Film award from the Vice-President for 'Andhadhun' at the function.
Actress Keerthy Suresh, actors--Ayushman Khurana and Vicky Kaushal--also received National Film Awards.Child actors Rohith PV, Sameep Singh Ranaut, Talha Arshad Reshi and Shrinivas Pokale were presented National Film Awards.
Gujarati film 'Hellaro' (Best Feature Film) and 'Badhai Ho'(Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment).
Hindi movie 'Padman' (Best Film on Social Issues), Kannada film 'Ondalla Eradalla' (Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration).
Ayushman Khurana and Vicky Kaushal jointly won Best Actor Award for their performances in 'Andhadhun' and 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', while Keerthy Suresh received Best Actress trophy for her performance in Telugu movie 'Mahanati'.
Aditya Dhar bagged Best Director Award for 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'. Marathi movie 'Naal' got the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director.
Earlier on Sunday, Amitabh Bachchan, in a tweet, stated that he will not be able to attend the prestigious award ceremony because he is "down with fever" and that he is not allowed to travel.
"Down with fever... Not allowed to travel. Will not be able to attend National Award tomorrow in Delhi. So unfortunate, my regrets," Big B tweeted.
Big B will be awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award - India's highest film honour this year.
Bachchan has won four National Film Awards for Best Actor through his illustrious career, last winning it for his performance in 2015 film Piku. Big B was last seen as a host on the TV quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati 11. Badla, co-starring Taapsee Pannu, remains his last release.(UNI)