The winner of National Film Awards 2019 were announced today and it was a big moment for actors and filmmakers from across languages to receive the prestigious honour. While Akshay Kumar didn't win any major awards for his performance, the actor's 2018 film, Padman was honoured by the jury for its social message. The film directed by R Balki and produced by Kumar's wife Twinkle Khanna was inspired by the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham who is known as India's Padman for inventing low-cost sanitary pad making machine in Tamil Nadu. The film had Akshay playing the lead role whereas Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor starred in supporting roles. National Film Awards 2019 Complete Winners List: Bollywood's Andhadhun, Padmaavat and Uri Win Big, KGF Bags Best Action.

The film was awarded Best Film on Social Issues and naturally, the actor is elated by this. Akshay is currently busy promoting his upcoming film Mission Mangal and it was between this that he was informed about the win. Speaking about the recent achievement, he said, "I was in the midst of Mission Mangal promotions when Tina called me asking if it was true? If Padman had actually won a National Award for Best Film On Social Issues. All my tiredness of promotions vanished hearing this news. I remember it was on the sets of Padman only that Sonam and I got the news of winning our respective National Awards last year. So life has come a full circle and I couldn’t be happier for Tina for winning this with her debut production and of course R Balki for putting it all together and the entire team behind Padman."

In the list of awardees was also lyricist-actor Swanand Kirkire who won the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Marathi film Chumbak which was presented by Akshay. Thrilled about that win too, he said, "Overall, it’s been a rewarding day." National Film Awards 2019: Ayushmann Khurrana, Vicky Kaushal and Keerthy Suresh Win Best Actor Award!

Akshay Kumar has been promoting Mission Mangal with his co-stars Vidya Balan and Taapsee Pannu. The film which retells the historic story of India's Mars mission is all set to release on August 15.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2019 07:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).