New Delhi: The 65th National Film Awards have been announced by the committee headed by eminent director Shekhar Kapoor.

The Malayalam film industry has walked away with a bag full of awards at the National Film Awards in categories like best director, supporting actor, cinematography, socially relevant film, screenplay and a special mention.



Six-time National Award winner Jayaraj, 57, won the best director award for his film "Bhayanakam", which also won the best cameraman award for Nikhil S. Praveen and also the best adapted screenplay.



"I just cannot find words to describe my emotions and feelings at the moment after hearing the news. Not many know that about 650 people had gone to fight in the Second World War from Kuttanadu and the film tells the tale of that.



"I dedicate this award to them," said Jayaraj, who won his second National Award for direction.



"Thondimuthulem Driksashiyum" was selected as the best regional film in Malayalam.



Upcoming star Fahad Fazil, who was selected as the best supporting actor, said: "I would rate this as the toughest character I have played and I am able to perform this well because I am in Malayalam films.



"I never expected that I would get an award, but we all knew the film 'Thondimuthulem Driksashiyum' would bring in awards. But at the time my worry all the time was the commercial success, as that is very crucial for the industry."



Journalist-turned-scriptwriter Sajeev Pazhoor walked away with the best scriptwriter award.



Veteran playback singer K.J. Yesudas won his eighth national award for the best male playback singer for his song "Poyimarenja kalam".



"Take off" was another film that got due recognition when its lead actress Parvathy won a special mention besides Santhosh Raman who won the award for the best production design.



"Right from the time the film was released, I used to get a huge response from all those who saw it. This was really motivating and many felt that this film would win awards and that has happened. The entire cast and crew of the film deserved it," said Parvathy.



The film shows the travails of Kerala nurses who were caught in 'war affected' West Asia and how they were repatriated.



"Aalorukum" bagged the best film under the social issues category. Slave Genesis, directed by Keralite Anees KM, has won the award for the best film in the non-feature film category.



Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan congratulated all the award winners and said that these awards are a real morale booster for the entire Malayalam film industry.

Assamese film Village Rockstar directed by Rima Das has won the award for the best film at the National Film Awards.

Sridevi has won best actress award for the movie ‘Mom’. Bengali actor Riddhi Sen won best actor award for the film Nagarkirtan.

Apart from Shekhar Kapur, the committee includes other ten members with five regional chairpersons who heads the respective regional panels.

Here is the detailed list of the award winners:

Best popular film – Baahubali 2

Nargis Dutt Award for best film on National Integration – Dhappa (Marathi)

Dadasaheb Phalke Award- Vinod Khanna

Best film Critic - Giridhar Jha

Best Regional Film - Ladakh

Special Jury Award - Nagar Kirtan (Bengali)

Best Production Design – Santhosh Rajan (Malayalam)

Best scriptwriter: Sajeev Pazhoor (Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum)

Best supporting actor (female)- Divya Dutta (Irada)

Best supporting actor (male)- Fahad Fazil

Best Child Artist – Banita Das (Village Rockstars)

Best Playback Singer (Male) – Yesudas (Viswasa poorvam mansoor)

Best Playback singer (Female)- Shaasha Tirupati (Kaatru Veliyidai)

Best Music Direction- AR Rahman (Kaatru Veliyadai)

Best Background score – AR Rahman (Mom)

Best Makeup artist – Nagar Kirtan (Bengali)

Best Lyrics – Prahlad (March 22)

Best Bengali film- Mayoorakshi

Best Hindi feature film – Newton

Best Tamil Film- To Let

Best Telugu Film – Ghazi Attack

Best Special Effects – Baahubali 2

Best Audiography – Village Rockstars (Assamese)

Best action direction – Abbas Ali Moghul ( Baahubali 2)

Best Film on Environment Conservation –Irada

Best Film on Social Issues – Aalorukkam

Best sound design – Sanath George and Justin Jose (Walking with the Wind)

Special Mention Awards - Marathi film: Morkiya, Oriya film: Hella Aarsi, Malayalam film: Take Off