68th National Film Awards (Hindi): Ajay Devgn, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Toolsidas Junior win big

The 68th National Film Awards were announced on July 22, 2022. The winners were announced for films that were released in the year 2020. In surprising news, Toolsidas Junior, which was released on Netflix earlier this year, won two awards, including Best Jury Mention for child actor Varun Buddhadev and Best Hindi Film. Ajay Devgn won Best Actor for his performance in the titular role in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior.

Mridul Mahendra Toolsidas is the director of the sports drama movie Toolsidas Junior. Under the auspices of Ashutosh Gowariker Productions and T-Series films, the movie was made by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashutosh Gowariker, and Sunita Gowariker. Sanjay Dutt, Rajiv Kapoor, Dalip Tahil, and Varun Buddhadev all appear in the movie. Rajiv Kapoor made his final and postmortem cameo in the movie after he passed away in February 2021.

Talking about the film, the expert snooker player, Toolsidas (Rajiv Kapoor), just plays for his son (Varun Buddhadev). However, Toolsidas' son chooses to carry out his father's wish after Toolsidas loses to his arch-rival in a crucial event. He seeks the assistance of former snooker champion Mohammad Salam (Sanjay Dutt) for this.

Whereas, in the Om Raut directorial, Ajay Devgn plays Subedar Tanaji Malusare, a military officer and companion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Sharad Kelkar). The story, which takes place in the 17th century, centres on Tanaji's attempts to retake the Kondhana castle after it is transferred to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who gives control of it to his dependable guard, Udaybhan Singh Rathore (Saif Ali Khan).

Nachiket Barve and Mahesh Sherla also won Best Costume Design for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. The period drama also won an award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Manoj Muntashir won the award for Best Lyrics for the film Saina, starring Parineeti Chopra in the titular role and directed by Amole Gupte. The biopic is based on the life of badminton star Saina Nehwal.