Will Alia Bhatt get her FIRST National Award for Raazi & will Akshay Kumar get second time lucky for Pad Man?

By Fenil Seta -

April 8, 2019 - 11:59 AM IST

With almost all major award ceremonies over, it’s now time for the ultimate awards that still holds a lot of credibility – the 66th National Film Awards. The winners of these coveted awards should be announced anytime in this week or the next and the ceremony would be held in New Delhi on May 3. It recognizes cinema from all over the country and not just Bollywood. But in this feature, we’ll take a look at Hindi films released last year that have a high chance of scoring at the National Awards.

1. Padmaavat

Will Alia Bhatt get her FIRST National Award for Raazi & will Akshay Kumar get second time lucky for Pad Man?

This Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial faced a lot of controversies prior to its release due to the accusations of wrongly depicting Rajput history. But the film was acclaimed and emerged as a huge blockbuster. Its songs were quite praised and the film has a chance in winning in the music department or for Best Choreography for ‘Ghoomar’.

2. Pad Man

Akshay Kumar has won a National Award before for Rustom and it led to a lot of brouhaha. But if he wins for Pad Man, it definitely would be appreciated by all quarters. Many call it the best performance of his career as he understood his part very well and stirred the viewers. This well-made film can also win the Best Film, Best Director or Best Hindi Film awards.

3. Hichki

This small film with beautiful heart had a bravura performance by Rani Mukerji. If she is honoured for Best Actress, it will be the first National Award of her glorious career. Hichki also has a chance in the Best Educational Film category.

4. October

Shoojit Sircar films have scored big time at the National Awards. October was a sensitive tale with a fine performance by Varun Dhawan who has a slight chance in bagging the Best Actor award. But more than that, it can get success in the Best Film, Best Director, Best Film in Hindi or in the writing awards.

5. Raazi

Alia Bhatt’s performance in Raazi was universally acclaimed and she should be a hot favourite in grabbing the Best Actor National Award. If that happens, it will add another feather in her cap and add to the list of her many achievements. In fact, Raazi is sure to pick up at least one National Award as it was a well-made film in all respects.

6. Parmanu - The Story Of Pokhran

This film was inspired from the 1998 nuclear test bomb explosions and has been royally ignored by the popular awards. But it might score at the National Awards in the technical departments. If it’s lucky enough, it can also win the Best Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment section.

7. Sanju

There’s a huge doubt that it will win in the Best Film or Direction category as a section of people believe it tried to glorify a person with criminal past. But the film was laced with a fine performance by Vicky Kaushal, who should be in the running for Best Supporting Actor award.

8. Mulk

This hard-hitting courtroom drama boasted of a riveting screenplay and fine performances. Also, there’s a category in National Awards where it has the potential, called Best Film On National Integration.

9. Stree

This was a great horror comedy and if it emerges as the winner of Best Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, then nothing like. It was directed by first-timer Amar Kaushik and he can also win the Best Debut Film Of A Director award.

10. Manto

Nandita Das’s previous flick Firaaq won two National Awards. Her second outing, Manto, too has chances to score in the technical departments especially.

11. Andhadhun

The sleeper hit of the year, Andhadhun surely deserves some win at this prestigious award ceremony. From special mention to Best Film to Best Director to Best Screenplay to Best Actress (Tabu), there are many categories where Andhadhun has the potential to make its mark.

12. Tumbbad

This was another film that took everyone by surprise. Technically, it was super-strong and can pick up an award or two for sure.

13. Badhaai Ho

Neena Gupta’s performance was exemplary in this family comedy and can give a strong competition to Alia Bhatt in the Best Actress category. Even Gajraj Rao and Surekha Sikri were first-rate and can emerge victorious in the Best Supporting Actor and Actresses categories respectively. Best Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Best Choreography (for ‘Morni Banke’) and Best Screenplay awards can also fall in this film’s kitty.

14. Zero

This flick was panned but nobody can refute the fact that its VFX was top-class. The manner in which Shah Rukh Khan flawlessly looked like a dwarf-sized was seen to be believed. If there’s any Hindi film at least that deserves award in the Best VFX category, it is this SRK starrer.

Of course, there have been some amazing regional films last year that also obviously have a high chance of scoring big time. The intention of this post is not to deride those films. May the best film win!

Also Read: “I am learning Telugu from scratch” – Alia Bhatt talks about RRR