Bhubaneswar: Prakruti Mishra from Odisha received a "special mention" at the National Film Awards that were presented in New Delhi on Thursday.

More than 70 recipients boycotted the ceremony after they were informed that President Ram Nath Kovind would be presenting only 11 awards.

Mishra received the award from Union ministers Smriti Irani and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. The 65th National Film Awards were announced on April 13.

Starring Prakruti Mishra and Partha, Sambit Mohanty's Hello Arsi has won the Best Odia Film Award.

The 90-minute film was directed by Sambit Mohanty, who passed in February last year following a brain stroke when the film was in post-production stage.

His wife received the award on his behalf.

Sambit Mohanty also won the award for the best dialogue posthumously.

Prakruti was seen in a formal wear designed from traditional Odia fabric. Prakruti affirmed she had no objection to being given the award by Union ministers and not the President.

For her, receiving the award was a big deal in itself.

"The film has been appreciated in various quarters and it is a great achievement for the entire team," she said.

She said receiving the award from the President would have added to the joy but she was equally happy otherwise.

Partha, the other actor in the lead role, seconded Prakruti.

"The team had put in a lot of hard work. We finished shooting the film in November 2016 and suddenly the director passed away. We put in a lot of effort to ensure that the film was completed. We have a lot of emotions attached to it. So, what mattered the most was receiving the award in memory of our director," he said.