Ship of Theseus wins National Award for Best Film

Ship of Theseus(English-Hindi) , which is produced by Recyclewala Films Pvt Ltd and directed by Anand Gandhi, won Swarna Kamal and Rs 2,50,000/- each to the Producer and Director

A quietly powerful film of an unusual photographer, an erudite Jain monk and a young stock broker told through different segments which finally unites them through a strange circumstance. In the process the film depicts issues of intuitive brilliance, metaphysical belief and intricate morality in a world full of contradictions.

In the Best Popular Film category, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag won the award for provding Wholesome Entertainment. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag won Swarna Kamal and Rs 2,00,000/- to the Producer and Director. The film has been awarded for retaining the story and values of a great sportsman and translating it into the cinematic medium with aplomb.

Shahid director Hansal Mehta bagged the Best Director Award. Shahid (Hindi) won Swarna Kamal and Rs 2,50,000/- for the director.

A remarkably handled film that traces the true story of a slain human right activist and a lawyer Shahid Azmi in the backdrop of communal violence unleashed in Mumbai, the film is story of an impoverished Muslim struggling to come to terms with injustice, inequality and rise above his circumstances. It is an inspiring testament to the human spirit.

National Awards for Best Hindi Film has been bagged by Jolly LLB.

Madras Cafe got the National Award for best sound design.

The Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a director went to Nagraj Manjule for Fandry (Marathi). Produced by Navalkha Arts and Holy Basil Combine, the film won Swarna Kamal and Rs 1,25, 000/- each to the Producer and Director.

A stark and realistic portrayal of Dalits in India seen through the eyes of a young boy who is desperately trying to break age old shackles, the film makes a strong statement that despite various reformers doing their best…. much remains to be done.

The Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration went to Thalaimuraigal(Tamil). The film produced by Company Productions is directed by Balu Mahendra. It won Rajat Kamal and Rs 1,50,000/- each to the Producer and Director

A sensitive tale about the breaking of walls of orthodoxy and religious and linguistic bias in a small village in Tamil Nadu. Love and compassion of a small boy and his mother wins over not only their own blood but the whole rural community.

The best film on social issues went to Marathi film Tuhya Dharma Koncha (Marathi) directed by Satish Manwar.

Tale of a poor tribal family being torn between prosecution by law enforcing agencies on one hand and issue of loss of their traditional faith and culture through religious conversions on the other.

The Best Film on Social Issues is Gulabi Gang (Hindi, Bundelkhandi) directed by Nishtha Jain.

The best film on environment conservation went to Perariyathavar(Malayalam), directed by Dr Biju. It tells the story of those nameless, faceless marginalized people through the life of a widowed father who works as a scavenger and his eight year old son. It depicts the real lives of the poor who live in the margin of civilized society with an unusual power and artistic honesty.

The Best Children's Film award has been bagged by Kaphal (Hindi), produced by the Children’s Film Society of India and directed by Batul Mukhtiar.

The film is set in a small village deep in Uttarakhand. A touching story set in beautiful mountains where two young boys pine for their father who has been away for quite a few years. They have dreams which they share with their close friends as they frolic around.

The Best Actor award has been shared by Raj Kumar for Shahid (Hindi) and Suraj Venjaramoodu for Perariyathavar (Malayalam).

Raj Kumar got the award for portrayal of the intriguing journey of a Muslim young man who is persecuted. He rebels and ultimately comes back to fight the injustice as a committed law abiding lawyer. Raj Kumar brings to life the soul of Shahid.

Suraj Venjaramoodu has been awarded for the dignified and quiet portrayal of a man on the lower margins of the society. His turmoil struggles and sufferings are soulfully brought out with subtle body language and eyes which transcend word

The Best Actress Award is bagged by Geetanjali Thapa for Liar's Dice (Hindi).  If ever an actress could merge completely into a role and look the character to perfection, it is Geetanjali Thapa, according to the jury. Her searching eyes and vulnerability are breath taking, according to them.

The Best Supporting Actor award has been given to Saurabh Shukla for Jolly LLB(Hindi) for a "heart-warming and exuberant performance as a judge, who discovers his authority and conscience in the process of conducting a  high profile case."

The Best Supporting Actress is  Amruta Subhash for Astu (Marathi) and Aida  El-Kashef for Ship of Theseus.

Amruta touchingly portrays the emotions of  a poor woman who brings to life compassion and warmth in dealing with human relationships..

Aida has been chosen for a sensitive portrayal of a blind photographer who entirely depends on her intuitive creative power and has a fiercely independent mind.

The Best Child Artist is Somnath Avghade for Fandry (Marathi) and Sadhana for Thanga Meengal(Tamil)

While Somnath Avghade plays the role of a Dalit teenager to perfection, Sadhana has played the part of a dyslexic child with sensitivity and exuberance and yet with ease.

The Best Male Playback Singer award went to Rupankar for Bengali film Jaatishwar for the song E Tumi Kemon Tumi while the Best Female Playback singer is Bela Shende for
Tuhya Dharma Koncha (Marathi) for the song Khura Khura

The Best Cinematography Award has been bagged by Rajeev Ravi for Liar’s Dice(Hindi). Rajeev Ravi captures life from the picturesque snow-laden mountains through a strenuous bus journey, to the crowded and dingy streets of Delhi with a rare fluidity.

The Best Editing award went to V J Sabu Joseph for Vallinam (Tamil).

The Best Bengali Film award went to Bakita Byaktigato directed by Pradipta Bhattacharya. It has been adjudged a delightful film about the need for love in our cynical times.
   
Other best Feature Film awards for regional cinema include: Marathi – Aajcha Divas Majha; Konkani – Baga Beach; Assamese – Ajeyo;   Kannada – December 1; Malayalam – North 24 Kaadham; Tamil – Thanga Mingal; Telugu – Na Bangaru Talli; Khasi – RI, Sherdukpen – The Crossing Bridges and English – The Coffin Maker.