Dhanush, Manoj Bajpayee, Kangana bag top honours Mohanlal-starrer is best film at 67th National Film Awards Special Correspondent New Delhi In what could be seen as a thumbs up to nationalist narratives, Priyadarshan’s Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham was chosen as the best feature film and Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan won the best director award for Hindi filmBahattar Hoorain at the 67th National Film Awards announced on Mon- day in New Delhi. Manoj Bajpayee and Dha- nush shared the best actor award, while Kangana Ra- naut won the best actress award, announced by N. Chandra, chairman of the central panel. The announ- cement of the awards was delayed by almost a year be- cause of the pandemic. Headlined by Mohanlal, Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham, or the Lion of Ara- bian Sea, is a period action drama about a 16th century Malayali naval chieftain who fought the Portuguese inva- sion. Chauhan’s film is a dark comedy about the conse- quences of violent extre- mism. It is his second film af- ter Lahore that won him the mance as a retired police nikarnika: The Queen of Indira Gandhi Award for the constable in Bhonsle, Dha- Jhansi and Panga. best debutant director in nush won it for depicting a Having been ignored for 2010. Both films are yet to range of emotions in Vetri- Aligarh and Gali Guleiyan, it make it to the theatres be- maaran’s multi-layered re- has been a long wait for Ma- cause of the pandemic. venge drama Asuran. Kanga- noj. While Manoj was awarded na bagged the award for her for his measured perfor- varied performances in Ma- CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8.