A scene from 3 Idiots
NEW DELHI: Aamir Khan-starrer 3 Idiots was chosen as The Best Popular Film, as Amitabh Bachchan won The Best Actor award for his role in Paa and Malayalam film Kutti Srank won the award in the Best Feature Film category as 57th National Film Awards were announced here.
The awards, announced at the Shastri Bhawan in the national capital, among other categories included Best National Integration film which went to Delhi 6, Best Debut Director for Sanjay Puran Singh for his film Lahore while the Best Director award went to Rituparno Ghosh for his Bengali film Abhomaan.
Ananya Chatterjee was chosen as the Best Actress for her role in Abhomaan, Well Done Abba was chosen as the Best Social film, Farooq Sheikh was chosen the Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lahore, Best Supporting Actress went to Arundhati Naag for role in Paa. The best song was 3 Idiots’ Behti Hawa Sa Tha Wo and Amit Trivedi was awarded Best Music award for Dev D.
Malayalam director Shaji N Karun, whose film Kutty Srank won the national award for the best film, said that the film has become a part of history with the honour.
Karun said he never expected an award, but was happy that it received national recognition, even though the film was totally rejected at the state level when state film awards were announced.
“I am glad my film received the National award. I succeeded in taking the film to the desired level. I am very happy that Kutty Srank became part of history like my first film Piravi’, he said.
Karun said the award was also an honour to the Malayalam film industry.
Filmmakers like Shyam Benegal, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, R Balki and first-timer Sanjay Puran Singh are a happy lot as each of their films clinched coveted honours at the 57th National film awards announced here today.
Benegal’s Well Done Abba has won the National Award in the Film with a Social Message category and even though the veteran filmmaker has won about 17 National awards earlier, he said that recognition can’t be “measured” and its always good to have another one.
“I am very pleased with the award since it is a recognition for the film. National awards are always special and welcome,” the 75-year-old director said.
The film is a political satire with Boman Irani, Minnisha Lamba and Rajit Kapur playing pivotal roles.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s second directorial Delhi 6 bagged the Nargis Dutt award for Best Film on National Integration. It is his second National honour after Rang De Basanti bagged one in 2006.
“It feels good when one’s work has been awarded. It is especially a great honour since it is the National award when the country is honouring, not some commercially-motivated prize,” said Mehra.
Delhi 6, which starred Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Om Puri and Waheeda Rehman, is based in Chandni Chowk of old Delhi and deals with issues like caste discrimination, communal divide and other social stigma.
“I am most happy since this was a socially oriented film showing the religious and cast divide in India. A film like this which goes against the current trend takes time to get its recognition. I hope this award gives birth to 10 more films like Delhi 6,” said Mehra.
Amitabh Bachchan starrer Paa won the Best Hindi Film award, and its director R Balki called the recognition an added “bonus”.
“For me the most important thing is to make a film and people should love it. I just wanted to make a good film in the form of Paa. Awards are a bonus and yes, they do call for a celebration,” said Balki.
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, who won the Best Debutante Director award for his sports-based film ‘Lahore’, said the honour came to him as a surprise.
“This is a very special moment for me and ultimate encouragement as a filmmaker. I was sure that Farooq Sheikh would receive an award but my winning the National award came as a surprise,” said Chauhan.
Sheikh won the Best Supporting Actor award for the film, which carries the message of unity and sportsman spirit between India and Pakistan with the backdrop of a the sport of kick boxing.
-PTI
