Chezhiyan’s yet-to-be-released To Let wins National Award for Best Tamil Feature Film

Director Chezhiyan’s film, To Let, has won the National Award for Best Regional Feature Film in Tamil at the 65th National Awards that were announced in New Delhi today.

Interestingly, the film, which is about a couple with a child looking to rent a place, is yet to release in theatres. Chezhiyan, whose brilliant cinematography in several films such as Kalloori, Joker, Thenmerkku Paruvakaatru and Paradesi, earned him the reputation of being a great cinematographer, has now proved that he is also a good director by winning the National Award for this film, which marks his debut as a director.

Rana Daggubatti’s Ghazi, which is India’s first film on submarine warfare, was chosen as the Best Regional Film in Telugu. The Best Regional Film in Kannada went to Hebbettu Ramakka and the award for the Best Regional Film in Malayalam went to the brilliantly made, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. Faahadh Faasil, who played a chain snatcher in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, bagged the award for the Best Supporting Actor(Male) for his scintillatingly funny role in this film.

Malayalam films came out on top with the National Award for Best Direction going to director Jayaraj for his film Bhayanakam.

Blockbuster Baahubali 2 won three awards. It won Awards for Best Action Choreography, Best Special Effects and Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

The award for the Best Film was won by an Assamese film called Village Rockstar.

The Dada Saheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement went to late actor Vinod Khanna.