National Film Awards: Akshay Kumar, Best Actor. Twitter Explodes In Joy

New Delhi: It's a red-letter day not just for Akshay Kumar but also for his legion of admirers. The 49-year-old star has won his first ever National Award - Best Actor for Rustom - and social media is beside itself. 'Rustom' is trending on Twitter, which is flooded with congratulatory messages for Akshay. Just months ago, Akshay's omission from the Best Actor category at the Filmfare Awards provoked his fans into fury - they were particularly enraged by Salman Khan's performance in Sultan receiving a nomination. For them, the National Award is a vindication. Rustom starred Akshay Kumar as a naval commander on trial for murdering his wife's lover - the film was based on the Nanavati case that led to reforms in the Indian judiciary.

Akshay Kumar shared a video on Twitter thanking fans for their support. Watch it here:
 

#NationalFilmAwards : Best Actor for Rustom,countless emotions,very hard to express my gratitude right now but still tried,a big THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/Wo7mfi6dI8

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 7, 2017

Akshay's wife Twinkle Khanna posted this emotional tweet:
 

I don't know if I am crying or laughing-emotions all over the place-So proud of you @akshaykumar you smart, humble, amazing creature! https://t.co/K0YRx2WBtI

— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) April 7, 2017

Apart from fans, messages came flooding in many of Akshay's colleagues.
 

Congratulations @akshaykumar for your national award!!!!!! Big big hug

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) April 7, 2017

Congratulating @akshaykumar !!!! #NationalFilmAwards#Rustam ....shine on !!!! Loads of love.....

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) April 7, 2017

 

Congratulations @akshaykumar for the biggest win ever.More power to you #NationalAward

— bhumi pednekar (@psbhumi) April 7, 2017

 

Big Big congratulations @akshaykumar Sir for winning the #NationalFilmAwards

— Kiara Alia Advani (@Advani_Kiara) April 7, 2017

 

Congratulations to my bro @akshaykumar for winning the national award for best actor for Rustom ! more power to you #NationalAward

- Sidharth Malhotra (@S1dharthM) April 7, 2017

 

Congratulations @akshaykumar on the National Award. Where is the party? #Rustom

— Ritesh Sidhwani (@ritesh_sid) April 7, 2017

 

Congratulations to @akshaykumar for winning #NationalAward for #BestActor. What an inspirational career graph & reinvention of an actor.:) pic.twitter.com/2zPBSJyDHP

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 7, 2017

 

Congrats @akshaykumar best actor for rustom..one more feather in an overcrowded cap..luv u sundi #NationalFilmAwards

- Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) April 7, 2017

The National Awards also honoured Sonam Kapoor (who received a special mention) and her film Neerja, which won Best Hindi Film. Dangal's Zaira Wasim won Best Supporting Actor for playing the younger version of wrestler Geeta Phogat. The Priyanka Chopra-produced Ventilator picked up Best Director for Rakesh Mapuskar, though it lost Best Marathi Film to Dashakriya. Amitabh Bachchan's Pink won Best Film on Social Issues.

Akshay Kumar has already had a triumph this year in the well-reviewed Jolly LLB 2, which made over Rs 100 crore at the box office. He was last seen in a special appearance in recent release Naam Shabana and has two films coming up - Toilet: Ek Prem Katha with Bhumi Pednekar, and the big budget 2.0 starring Rajinikanth. He will also begin work on Padman, produced by his wife Twinkle Khanna and co-starring Sonam Kapoor.