69th National Film Awards: Alia Bhatt, Kangana Ranaut in best actor race? Here's where you can watch the live announcement 

Alia Bhatt and Kangana Ranaut

The Ministry of Information and Broadcast of India will be announcing the winners of National Film Awards on August 24 at 5pm. All Indian films that were censored in the year 2021 are in contention. Alia Bhatt's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' and SS Rajamouli's 'RRR' which released in 2022 are also in the race as the films were censored in 2021.

The National Film Awards, a prestigious Indian film award ceremony, celebrates excellence in Indian cinema. It provides a platform to recognize the outstanding contributions of showbiz luminaries. The 69th edition of this event is back, and the winners' names are poised to be revealed this evening, August 24, during a press conference in the national capital. The announcement can be watched live on the Youtube channel of PIB.

With the news of National Film Awards being announced today getting out, thrilled fans took to social media to root for their favourite actors and films.

Ram Charan and Jr NTR who shared screen space in the much loved and appreciated 'RRR'. Alia Bhatt and Kangana Ranaut will also be in competition for Best Actress for their performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi and 'Thalaivi' respectively. Kangana is already a multiple National Award-winning actor, having won for one for Supporting Actress for Fashion (2008), and three for Best Actress, for the films Queen (2014), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), and Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019) as well as Panga (2020) respectively.

The Malayalam movie 'Nayattu' could potentially mark a significant win for actor Joju George, as he emerges as a formidable contender for the Best Actor award. 'Minnal Murali,' a South Indian film helmed by Basil Joseph, is another strong contender in the awards season.

Last year, Suriya won the National Award for Best Actor for 'Soorarai Pottru' along with Ajay Devgn for 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'. Suriya is a contender this year as well for his path breaking film 'Jai Bhim'. Aparna Balamurali had bagged the Best Actress award last year for Soorarai Pottru.

Madhya Pradesh won the 'Most Film Friendly State' award while Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh got a Special Mention. 'The Longest Kiss' by Kishwar Desai won Best Book on Cinema for the year while the Malayalam book 'MT Anunahvangalude Pusthakam' and Odia book 'Kali Paine Kalira Cinema' won a special mention.