The 69th edition of the National Film Awards is scheduled to be unveiled today through a press conference by the Jury at the National Media Center in New Delhi. As anticipation builds up, numerous speculations about the recipients are circulating, eagerly awaiting the official declaration.

In this year's discussions, Alia Bhatt and Kangana Ranaut emerge as prominent names in contention for the Best Actress accolade, potentially recognized for their performances in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' and 'Thalaivi,' respectively. Additionally, films like the Malayalam production 'Nayattu' and R Madhavan's 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect' are also touted as strong contenders. However, these assumptions remain unofficial until the veil is lifted on Thursday evening.

The unveiling of the winners of the 69th National Film Awards is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday. Enthusiasts can catch the live announcement on the official social media platforms of PIB India and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The event will also be streamed on their YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Last year, the coveted Best Actor Award for 2020 was jointly bestowed upon Suriya for 'Soorarai Pottru' and Ajay Devgn for the Hindi film 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior.'

Having been established in 1954, the National Film Awards hold an esteemed position as one of the most anticipated events in the nation. The presentation of awards by the Hon'ble President of India is a highlight, culminating in public screenings of the acclaimed films.

Through the years, the award categories have expanded. Originating as 'State Awards' with two President's Gold Medals, two certificates of merit, and silver medals for a dozen regional films, the practice of awarding the Regional Best Award to the National Best Film persisted for the initial six years. Subsequently, the range of awards saw continuous growth.

The year 1968 marked the introduction of separate awards for artists and technicians, celebrating achievements in films from 1967. Nargis Dutt and Uttam Kumar etched their names in history as the first recipients of the Best Actress (then known as Urvashi) and Best Actor (then known as Bharat) Awards, respectively.

The National Film Awards are distributed across three categories – Features, Non-Features, and Best Writing on Cinema. While honorees in the Features and Non-Features sections are recognized for their excellence across various cinematic domains, the 'Best Writing on Cinema' segment aims to promote the study and appreciation of cinema as an art form. This is achieved through the publication of diverse books, articles, reviews, newspaper coverage, and analytical explorations that contribute to the critical understanding of this artistic medium.

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