Filmmaker Priyadarshan, who chaired the jury of the 64th National Film Awards, was criticized for choosing Akshay Kumar as Best Actor for his work in 2016 movie Rustom
National Film Awards 2017: Apart from Akshay Kumar, other awardees included Dangal star Zaira Wasim who won Best Supporting Actress, Mohanlal who received the Jury Award, and Sonam Kapoor who was given a Special Mention for her work in Neerja
National Awards 2017: Akshay Kumar receives his first National Award for Best Actor, Sonam Kapoor receives a Special Mention. Akshay is being awarded for his performance as a naval officer in the dock for murder in 2016 film Rustom
The 64th National Film Awards ceremony will be held in New Delhi on Wednesday, May 3. President Pranab Mukherjee will give away the awards to the winners at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Akshay Kumar won his first National Award for Rustom