TIA Correspondent
NEW DELHI: The President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Friday gave away 57th national film awards here at a glittering ceremony. D Ramanaidu, a veteran producer with 130 films in a dozen languages was presented Dada Saheb Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to cinema. Super star Amitabh Bachchan received best actor award for his role in Paa.
Talking to meadia persons after receiving the award, Amitabh Bachan thanked the jury for selecting him and said the credit should go to the make up artist for his award.
Ananya Chatterjee received the best actress award for her role in Abohoman. Rituparno Ghosh for his Bengali film Abohoman received the award for best direction. Malayalam Movie Kutty Shrank received best movie award for the year, while 3 Idiots received the best Film award for wholesome entertainment.
Rakesh Omprakash Mehra received the Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on National Integration Dehli 6. Farooq Shaikh received the award for the best actor in Supporting Role for the film Lahore. Arundhati Nag received the best actress award in supporting role for film Paa.
The other prominent winners included the Best Feature Film, Kutty Srank (Malayalam), Director Shaji N. Karun, Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director, Lahore (Hindi), by Shri Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, Award for Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment to 3 Idiots (Hindi) by Vidhu Vinod Chopta and Raj Kumar Hirani, Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration to Delhi 6 (Hindi) by Shri Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Best Film on Social Issues Well Done Abba (Hindi) by Shri Shyam Benegal.
Some of the prominent Technical awards included Best Cinematography Award to Kutty Srank (Malayalam), Best Screenplay Award to Kutty Srank (Malayalam), Kanasemba Kudureyaneri (Kannada) and Pasanga (Tamil), Best Audiography Award to Kaminey (Hindi), Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (Malayalam) and 3 Idiots (Hindi).
Except veteran musician Illyaraja, who bagged the award for his background score in "Pazhassi Raja", and Ranjan Palit, who has been awarded for the best voiceover, all other winners were present.
Speaking on the occasion President Pratibha Patil said cinema was a very potent medium for conveying a message and it has became an important factor in influencing social norms. “Cinema operated within the context of a social scenario and, thus, had a stake in the stability, prosperity and progress of society” she said adding that all involved in the film industry should consider themselves as social leaders and as stakeholders in the welfare of people. “Striking a balance between entertainment and social relevance was an essential call for the industry and the response would define its role in society” president stressed.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ambika Soni has said, the year 2013 would be celebrated as a centenary milestone to showcase the cinematic heritage of the Indian film industry in the last 100 years.
“The centenary celebrations would also offer an opportunity to applaud the young iconic members of the film industry for their contribution, while at the same time positioning India as a ‘SOFT POWER’ at a global level”.
The Minister also mentioned that the celebration of films, music and legendary artists was a tribute to the cinematic brilliance in the journey that began with India’s first feature film ‘Raja Harishchandra’ being released in 1913.