The 64th National Film Awards were declared on Friday and Bollywood star Akshay Kumar won the best actor award for his portrayal of a patriotic naval officer in “Rustom.”
Another Bollywood flick “Neerja”, directed by Ram Madhvani, was named the best Hindi film. It is the 1986 hijacking incident during which flight attendant Neerja Bhanot was killed by terrorists while saving passengers.
Amitabh Bachchan-starrer “Pink”, a female-centric court room drama, won the award for best film on social issues.
The jury was headed by Akshay’s frequent collaborator and filmmaker Priyadarshan. Ajay Devgn’s “Shivaay” won the best special effects.
Both Akshya and Ajay have been perceived to be close to the central government with voth stars defending the Narendra Modi government on key controversial issues.
Kashmiri actress Zaira Wasim won the best supporting actress award for her performance as a young Geeta Phogat in the Aamir Khan-led wrestling drama “Dangal”.
Friday’s announcements sparked angry reactions from social media users who felt the decision may been influenced by other considerations. Many fans felt that Aamir Khan and not Akshay should have won the Best Actor awards.
Priyadarshan, according to NDTV, revealed that the jury re-watched Dangal and judged it lacking. “I recalled Dangal saw it again but it missed because the regional films were brilliant,” he said.
Aamir’s Dangal has smashed all box office records since its release last year.
Here are some of the reactions;
Think Akshay Kumar was better in Airlift than Rustom. And that Aamir Khan was far far better in Dangal #NationalFilmAwards
— Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_ET) April 7, 2017
2 min silence for those who thought Aamir for Dangal or SRK for FAN will get National Award. When BJP is ruling party No KHANs will get it.
— JUST A FAN. (@iamsrk_brk) April 7, 2017
Aamir Khan best actor in the world and Dangal best movie#NationalFilmAwards
— Joma (@Jomana10541104) April 7, 2017
Aamir deserved the national award for Dangal. He (Dangal) was at least 20x better than Akshay (Rustom). Difference: Boot-licking.
— Saif (@isaifpatel) April 7, 2017
Last year no national award for Vikram. This year no national award for Aamir. #I #Dangal
— AKSHAY (@akshay14793) April 7, 2017
#NationalFilmAwards And they say national awards are genuine n Filmfare awards are fake.
Really Akshay?
Aamir was way way better than Akki— Sourav (@Dubeyjibanarasi) April 7, 2017
Will @akshaykumar forfeit the National award for Aamir? Same way he had given away his Star screen awards in 2009.#NationalFilmAwards
— PeeCee (@micepri) April 7, 2017
Akshay Kumar wins a "National Award" for Rustom over Aamir Khan in Dangal!
And i thought Bollywood awards are fake
— Satyam shekhar (@thesupersatyam) April 7, 2017
With due respect to Akshay kumar
Aamir khan should have won national award……national awards biggest april fool joke #NationalFilmAwards— Riyazuddin Chaudhary (@riyazrc) April 7, 2017