1. Mahanati (Telugu)

Mahanati won three National Film Awards and is one of the top winners this year. This biographical drama, starring Keerthy Suresh in the lead role, follows the turbulent rise and fall of Indian actress Savitri. It won the Best Feature Film (Telugu), Best Actor (Female) and Best Costume. 

2. Hellaro (Gujarati)

Hellaro explores the life of a group of women who only have one way of escaping their patriarchal shackles – the daily ritual of collecting water. It’s the debut film of director Abhishek Shah. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and is the first Gujrati film to win this accolade. 

3. Turtle (Rajasthani)

Starring Sanjay Mishra, Turtle is based on the problem of water shortage that a small village in Rajasthan faces. It won the award for the Best Feature Film (Rajasthani). 

4. Hamid (Urdu)

Adapted from the play Phone No 786, Hamid is centered around a young boy’s attempt to reach ‘God’ and what follows when someone answers the call. It stars Rasika Dugal, Vikas Kumar, and Talha Arshad Reshi, and won the Best Feature Film (Urdu). Talha Arshad Reshi also won the award for Best Child Artist, which he shared with three other actors. 

5. Bulbul Can Sing (Assamese)

After Village Rockstars, Rima Das’ coming-of-age drama Bulbul Can Sing also won the Best Film Award (Assamese). It even premiered at the 2018 TIFF festival. 

6. Baaram (Tamil)

Baaram, that means ‘The Burden’, is based on the illegal practice of Thalaikoothal – a practice where family members force elderly members to undergo involuntary euthanasia. It won the award for the Best Feature Film (Tamil). 

7. Bhonga (Marathi)

Bhonga, which is yet to have a theatrical release, raises a question on whether religion can hold more importance than a person’s life. It won the award for Best Marathi Film. 

8. Paani (Marathi)

Produced by Priyanka Chopra’s production company, Purple Pebble Pictures, Paani is an offbeat story centered around the problem of water crisis in a village. It won the award for the Best Film on Environment issues. 

9. Naal (Marathi)

Directed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti, Naal explores the relationship between a mother and a child that goes beyond a ‘biological connection’. It won the Best Debut Film of a Director, and Shrinivas Pokale also won the award for Best Child Artist. 

10. Harjeeta (Punjabi)

A sports drama based on the life of Indian hockey player Harjeet Singh–who captained the Indian team in the Junior World Cup–Harjeeta won the award for the Best Punjabi Film. Actor Sameep Ranaut Singh also won the Best Child Artist award. 

11. Chi La Sow (Telugu)

A romantic drama that explores the age-old thought of ‘opposites attract’, Chi La Sow won the award for the Best Original Screenplay. 

12. Ondalla Eradalla (Kannada)

This social comedy-drama, presented through a seven-year-old protagonist, won the award for the Best Film for National Integration. P V Rohith also won the award for Best Child Artist. 

You can check out the complete list of winners here.