The 69th National Film Awards were announced on Thursday, August 24, with the top honors going to R. Madhavan's Rocketry: The Nambi Effect for Best Feature Film, Telugu star Allu Arjun winning the Best Actor for his performance in Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1, and Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon sharing the Best Actress award for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi, respectively. While Telugu films like Pushpa and RRR dominated the 69th National Film Awards after bagging awards in several categories, Tamil films like Suriya's Jai Bhim directed by T. J. Gnanavel, Dhanush's Karnan under Mari Selvaraj's direction, Pa. Ranjith's Sarpatta Parambarai starring Arya and Silambarasan TR's Maanaadu made by Venkat Prabhu, didn't win get any recognition leading a to a huge reaction on social media. It was a similar outcome for Malayalam films like Tovino Thomas' Minnal Murali directed by Basil Joseph and filmmaker Martin Prakkat's Nayattu starring Joju George at the National Awards this year.
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With a lot of opinions regarding the regional films not being given much importance at the 69th National Film Awards floating on social media, several leading celebrities have now reacted to some of the Tamil films that were not recognized by the jury for the prestigious honor. Telugu actor Nani was one of the first film personalities to react to Jai Bhim being overlooked as he shared a broken heart emoji on his Instagram Story on Friday, August 25.
Likewise, acclaimed cinematographer P. C. Sreeram, a National Award winner himself, took to X earlier in the day to question why Jai Bhim was left out and whether there was any specific basis behind the decision. He posted, "We in the film ferernity are united in our happiness for this year's #NationalAwards Did they leave out " jaibeem"due to any particular reason or is it the voice if INDIA which has them given jitters ." (sic)
We in the film ferernity are united in our happiness for this year's #NationalAwards
— pcsreeramISC (@pcsreeram) August 25, 2023
Did they leave out " jaibeem"due to any particular reason or is it the voice if INDIA which has them given jitters .
Ashok Selvan, known for his roles in Oh My Kadavule and Por Thozhil, expressed his happiness at Kadaisi Vivasayi winning the Best Tamil Film award, but queried why Jai Bhim was not given due importance. He posted, "Congratulations to everyone. Extremely happy for #KadaisiVivasaayi . Rightly deserving. But why not nothing for #JaiBhim ? 🤷🏽♂️💔" (sic)
Congratulations to everyone. Extremely happy for #KadaisiVivasaayi . Rightly deserving. But why not nothing for #JaiBhim ? 🤷🏽♂️💔
— Ashok Selvan (@AshokSelvan) August 25, 2023
Similarly, choreographer Sathish Krishnan, who is known for his appearances in Unnale Unnale, Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiyada, and Beast, and is currently working on his directorial debut starring Kavin, asked why Sarpatta Parambarai and Jai Bhim, and its star K. Manikandan were not given National Award honors. He wrote, "No national award for jai Bhim and sarpetta parambharai . No national award for manigandan. Seriously ? Wow superb #NationalAwards2023" (sic)
No national award for jai Bhim and sarpetta parambharai . No national award for manigandan. Seriously ? Wow superb #NationalAwards2023
— Sathish krishnan (@dancersatz) August 25, 2023
