Newton wins big

India’s foreign-language Oscar hopeful Newton bagged two wins at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Brisbane, with Rajkummar Rao winning the best actor, and writer Mayank Tewari and director Amit V. Masurkar grabbing the best screenplay honour.

Dedicating the award to his late mother, Rajkummar, in his acceptance speech, said, “Let’s keep doing this beautiful work, let’s keep making these wonderful stories. Here’s to cinema!”

Later, the 33-year-old actor took to his Twitter page to say, “Won the best actor award at the most prestigious #APSA2017 (Asia Pacific Screen Awards). Thank you Maa. Thank u team #Newton. Don’t stop chasing your dreams because they really do come true.”

At the ceremony, where Australia’s Sweet Country won the top award, India’s Lady of the Lake by director Haobam Paban Kumar won a special mention in the Cultural Diversity Award Under the Patronage of UNESCO category in which Dede was the winner.

Newton revolves around a rookie but idealistic election officer as he struggles to hold elections in a Chhattisgarh village despite the threat of Naxalite violence.