Akshay Kumar Wins His First National Award For Best Actor

The National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi today and Akshay Kumar has won his first National Award for Best Actor for his work in the 2016 film Rustom. Rustom, based on the real life Nanavati case that led to the scrapping of the jury in India's legal system, starred Akshay as a naval officer accused of murdering his wife's lover. The 49-year-old star's omission from the Filmfare Awards Best Actor category prompted outrage recently - his National Award win is likely to pacify his fans. Rustom released to middling reviews last year but Akshay Kumar's performance was singled out for critical praise.