Exclusive | Devi Sri Prasad dedicates his National Award for Best Music to Pushpa fans: It was challenging and fulfilling

Devi Sri Prasad, Allu Arjun. Pic/Instagram

The 69th National Film Awards were declared today at a press conference by the jury at the National Media Center, New Delhi. The event was streaming live on PIB India's Facebook page and YouTube channel. The awards for Feature Films were announced by filmmaker Ketan Mehta. The Best Music Director award went to Devi Sri Prasad for the film Pushpa: The Rise.

Popularly known as DSP, the popular composer exclusively told Mid-Day, "I'm incredibly honoured to receive this esteemed award for Pushpa. Composing for Pushpa was both challenging and fulfilling. Special thanks to director Sukumar and congratulations Allu Arjun for his phenomenal performance. My Producers Mythri Movie Makers, lyricists Chandrabose, entire singers, and technicians." DSP further added, "This is dedicated to all Pushpa fans and music lovers."

Pushpa: The Rise was a successful film at the box office. Apart from that, its songs like Oo Antava, Srivalli and Sami Sami continue to top the music charts even now. DSP played an important role in the Hindi and other versions of the songs.

Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award for Pushpa: The Rise. Reportedly, he became the first Telugu actor to win the honour. The film also starred Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil. Directed by Sukumar, the pan-India film was produced by Mythri Movie Makers. It released on December 17, 2021. The sequel of Pushpa is currently on floors. Titled Pushpa: The Rule, the film is scheduled to release in 2024.

After the 69th National Awards were declared, Sukumar and the team of Pushpa: The Rise had a quick celebration. Sharing the video, the production house wrote, "Maverick director @aryasukku and our producers #NaveenYerneni garu and #RaviShankar garu shower their happiness and love on Icon Star @alluarjun for becoming THE FIRST ACTOR FROM TFI to win the BEST ACTOR at the National Awards"

While Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award, the Best Actress award was shared by Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon. The former won the honour for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi whereas the latter bagged the award for Laxman Utekar's socio-drama Mimi which was directly released on Netflix.