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Right after the 70th National Film Awards were announced today afternoon, some fans and moviegoers started accusing the jury for bias in awarding the Best Actor award to Rishab Shetty for Kantara. Shetty had faced tight competition from the Malayalam actor Mammootty. After sharing Rishab Shetty’s past images with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some called Rishab Shetty a “BJP Devotee” and added that the Malayalam actor has been ‘robbed again’, as his notable performances in Nissam Basheer’s Rorschach and Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam were ignored.
Mammootty robbed, AGAIN!
— Alwin (@ranting_commie) August 16, 2024
#rishabshetty win national award 😂😂😂 for kanthara #Mammootty pic.twitter.com/3jyZnzGXZ2
— Salmaan Farriz (@twitfariz) August 16, 2024
Frauds ignored Mammootty again
— The Norway Machan (@thenorwaymachan) August 16, 2024
#rishabshetty winning the national award is the biggest joke. #Mammootty truly deserved this year. Even vikrant massey’s acting were better than rishabh shetty. Just because he was a BJP devotee, he got this award. Such a scam🤡🤡
— MAD MATRIX FX (@MADMATRIXFX1) August 16, 2024
As predicted #RishabShetty wins #nationalaward talent doesn’t matter something else matters. #Mammootty
— Cinema is lyf (@AjithMoonjely6) August 16, 2024
ജാതിയും പൊളിറ്റിക്സും നോക്കി ഭരിക്കുന്നടുത്തോളം മമ്മൂക്കക്ക് അവാർഡ് കൊടുക്കില്ല.
ദേശിയ അവാർഡിന്റെ വില ഈ വാണങ്ങൾ കളഞ്ഞു കുളിച്ചു.
എന്നും പലന്യായങ്ങൾ പറഞ്ഞു ഒഴിവാക്കുന്നു.
ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ ദേശിയ അവാർഡിൽ നോമിനേഷൻ കിട്ടിയ നടൻ #mammootty pic.twitter.com/foV9u9XNfm— Truth. General (@SHEMIM674021) August 16, 2024
Before this, Mammootty was bestowed the prestigious award in 1989 (for Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Mathilukal and Hariharan’s Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha), 1993 (for TV Chandran’s Ponthan Mada and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Vidheyan) and 1998 (for Jabbar Patel’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar).
Also Read: Complete List Of 70th National Film Awards
Before this, Mammootty was in spotlight in 2010 after the famous snub as he was denied the National Awards for his performance in Shaji N Karun’s Kutty Srank. That year, Amitabh Bachchan was awarded India’s numero uno award for his performance in R Balki-directorial Paa.
The performance of the current winner Rishab Shetty in Kantara was hailed by critics and fans as “nothing short of mesmerizing”. Taking on the dual role of actor and director, Shetty managed to breath life into his character with an intensity that captivates the audience from start to finish. Rishab Shetty’s portrayal, as per critics, was rooted in the cultural and spiritual essence of the region, showcasing his deep understanding of the local traditions and folklore.
Also Read: Mammootty Reacts To National Film Awards Announcement
In Kantara, Shetty managed to portray the raw emotion and authenticity, especially in the climactic sequences, that leaves a lasting impact on the audience. Shetty’s seamless transition between moments of quiet introspection and explosive energy was applauded by many highlighting his versatility as an actor.
Taking to his X account, Mammootty congratulated to all the winners. “Congratulations to all the winners of national and state film awards”, he wrote.
ദേശീയ , സംസ്ഥാന ചലച്ചിത്ര പുരസ്കാരങ്ങൾ നേടിയ എല്ലാവർക്കും അഭിനന്ദനങ്ങൾ.
— Mammootty (@mammukka) August 16, 2024
Internet is divided over the issue. While some say that the Malayalam star has been robbed again, other criticise ‘BJP devotee’ tag given to Shetty. One X user said, “Ufff bjp devotee!! In that case even allu arjun is bjp devotee Watch movie before commenting even Mammootty would hv thought rishab did a better job in the movie”.
Ufff bjp devotee!!
In that case even allu arjun is bjp devotee
Watch movie before commenting even Mammootty would hv thought rishab did a better job in the movie— deepika / ದೀಪಿಕಾ (@deepika45638) August 16, 2024
Allu Arjun won National Award for his 2021 release Pushpa: The Rise.
The arguments goes on. X users say that people should watch Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam and Rorschach. Those on Mammootty’s side argue Shetty did not act “even 10%” of what Mammootty did. Those who takes Shetty’s side argue that he deserved it.