Top Focus/ 69th National Awards: Allu Arjun wins Best Actor for Pushpa, calls it 'double achievement'

The 69th National Film Awards ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The list of awardees made their way to the national capital in lieu of being felicitated with one of the highest national honours in the field of cinema. Allu Arjun, who bagged one of the top honours for the year, expressed his thoughts about the moment prior to heading in for the ceremony.

3 things you need to know

• The list of awardees for the 69th National Film Awards were announced on August 24.
• Allu Arjun bagged the National Award for his portrayal of the titular character in Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1.
• The Telugu actor is currently filming for Pushpa: The Rule, slated to release in August 2024.

(The official poster for Pushpa | Image: X)

Allu Arjun reflects on his win prior to the National Awards ceremony

Allu Arjun arrived at the Vigyan Bhawan, where he was felicitated with the Best Actor honour. He looked dapper in a white bandhgala and his signature glasses. Speaking to Doordarshan prior to entering the ceremony, the Pushpa actor shared his reflections on the moment. He detailed how the fact that his win has come for a commercial film has made his victory twice as impactful. 

Prior to heading into the ceremony, the actor also struck the signature Pushpa pose. It is worth noting that Allu Arjun's Best Actor win for Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1 makes him the first Telugu actor to win this accolade.

Allu Arjun said, "I am extremely happy that I am receiving this award. It's a double achievement for me to receive it for a commercial film. This moment is beyond words. I'm truly humbled and honored."

Other National Film awardees grace the event

Besides Allu Arjun, other National Film awardees too marked their presence at the Vigyan Bhawan in lieu of their felicitation. Vivek Agnihotri arrived with wife Pallavi Joshi - who herself now has three National Film Awards to her name - for the felicitation of their film The Vaccine War. 

(Allu Arjun's reaction post-National Film Award annoucement | Image: alluarjunonline/Instagram)

Kriti Sanon arrived for the ceremony where she will be felicitated with the Best Actress accolade for her work in Mimi. Kriti shared this award with Alia Bhatt for her Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial Gangubai Kathiawadi, who arrived with her husband Ranbir Kapoor.