South Indian films sweep up National Awards

No.

Name of Award

Name of Film

Awardee

Medal

& Cash Prize

Citation

1

BEST FEATURE FILM

Adaminte Makan Abu (Malayalam)

Producer: Salim Ahamed

Director : Salim Ahamed

Swarna Kamal

Rs 2,50,000/-

Each

For a simple yet evocative articulation of humanist values that frees matters of faith from the constrictions of narrow parochialism. The concerns of Abu, son of Adam, are timeless and universal in their scope.

2

INDIRA GANDHI AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT FILM OF A DIRECTOR

Baboo Band Baaja

(Marathi)

Producer: Nita Jadhav

Director : Rajesh Pinjani

Swarna Kamal

Rs 1,25,000/-

Each

For a riveting tale of a father reluctant to educate his son, a mother who fiercely believes in its liberatory value, and the son who is caught in the crossfire, ‘Baboo’ is an outstanding debut project by director.

3

AWARD FOR BEST POPULAR FILM PROVIDING WHOLESOME ENTERTAINMENT

Dabangg (Hindi)

Producer: Arbaaz Khan, Malaika Arora Khan & Dhilin Mehta

Director : Abhinav Singh Kashyap

Swarna Kamal

Rs 2,00,000/-

Each

Answers the need of cinegoers for entertainment rooted in Indian soil.

4

NARGIS DUTT AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Moner Manush

(Bengali)

Producer: Gautam Kundu

Director : Goutam Ghose

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,50,000/-

Each

For celebrating the union of the human spirit through the life and song of Sufi poets in the Baul tradition.

5

BEST FILM ON SOCIAL ISSUES

Champions

(Marathi)

Producer: Aishwarya Narkar

Director : Ramesh More

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,50,000/-

Each

In a world of deprivation, the thirst for an education surpasses the hunger for food amongst two young brothers fending for each other and their mother.

6

BEST FILM ON ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION/PRESERVATION

Bettada Jeeva

(Kannada)

Producer: Basantkumar Patil

Director : P. Sheshadri

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,50,000/- Each

An old couple steeped in the soil of their environment yearn for the return of their son while nurturing the growth of their young plantation against all odds.

7

BEST CHILDREN’S FILM

Hejjegalu

(Kannada)

Producer: Basantkumar Patil

Director : P.R. Ramadas Naidu

Swarna Kamal

Rs 1,50,000/- Each

A little girl cheerfully takes on the challenge to preserve the fabric of her family.

8

BEST DIRECTION

Aadukalam (Tamil)

Vetrimaran

Swarna Kamal

Rs 2,50,000/-

For a gritty tale of love, jealousy and betrayal in the midst of bloodsport and violence, in the manner of realistic cinema.

9

BEST ACTOR

Aadukalam (Tamil)

Adaminte Makan Abu (Malayalam)

Dhanush

Salim Kumar

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

(sHARING)

Two riveting performances that fuse character and actor into one:

To Dhanush for the raw, nuanced portrayal of a cocky young man who learns lessons about life the hard way.

To Salim for a deep, restrained performance of a simple man with an unshakeable belief in his quest for salvation.

10

BEST ACTRESS

Baboo Band Baaja

(Marathi)

Thenmerkku Paruvakkatru (Tamil)

Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar

Saranya Ponvannan

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

(sHARING)

The picture of two mothers whose concern for bettering the lives of their children in the face of untold hardship:

As a mother who strives to realise through her son her dreams of a better future.

As a fiercely combative single mother who shields her son to the point of sacrifice.

11

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Mynaa (Tamil)

J. Thambi Ramaiah

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For a heart-warming performance as a policeman who discovers his humanity in the process of capturing an escaped fugitive.

12

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Namma Gramam (Tamil)

Sukumari

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For a sensitive portrayal of an aged widow who challenges orthodoxy when restrictions are placed upon her widowed granddaughter.

13

BEST CHILD ARTIST

I am Kalam (Hindi)

Champions (Marathi)

Baboo Band Baaja

(Marathi)

1. Harsh Mayar

2. Shantanu Ranganekar &

3. Machindra Gadkar

4. Vivek Chabukswar

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

(sHARING)

Four actors for expressing with charm and heartbreak the world of the child:

For performing with bright, shining

eyes and an urchin smile, the razor

sharp spirit of a survivor who dreams

of excelling.

For two brothers bonded by blood

and responsibility battling for survival

in the underbelly of a heartless city.

For capturing the indomitable spirit of

a young village boy who is hungry to

learn in an environment that closes

all doors on him.

14

BEST MALE PLAYBACK SINGER

Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (Marathi)

Suresh Wadkar

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For rendering soulful lyrics in a resonant voice soaked in emotion with a purity of musical expression and spiritual empathy.

15

BEST FEMALE PLAYBACK SINGER

Ishqiya (Hindi)

Rekha Bhardwaj

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For a sensual and evocative rendering of a heart longing for the beloved.

16

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Adaminte Makan Abu (Malayalam)

Cameraman :

Madhu Ambat

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For the visual poetry that augments and reinforces the concern of the narrative and for unfolding the infinite vistas of nascent digital technology in the visual medium.

17

BEST SCREENPLAY

Aadukalam (Tamil)

Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (Marathi)

Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (Marathi)

Screenplay Writer

(Original) :

Vetrimaran

Screenplay Writer (Adapted) :

Anant Mahadevan & Sanjay Pawar

Dialogues :

Sanjay Pawar

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For its kaleidoscopic variety that uses realism, tradition and contemporaneity, soaked in local flavour on an infinite canvas.

For retaining the concerns and values of a biographical account while translating it into the cinematic medium and honouring the essence of the original.

For bringing to life the textures of various characters through articulating their emotion and thought process.

18

BEST AUDIOGRAPHY

Ishqiya (Hindi)

Chitrasutram (Malayalam)

Ishqiya (Hindi)

Location Sound Recordist :

Kaamod Kharade

Sound Designer :

Subhadeep Sengupta

Re-recordist of the final mixed track :

Debajit Changmai

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

For capturing the soft nuances and variations of the artists’ voices and location ambience in a sensorial manner.

For the use of various sound effects along with existing ambience to impart a subliminal experience in this abstract work.

For merging voices, location ambience, background music and other sound effects to create a near-tactile experience that is both real and artistic.

19

BEST EDITING

Aadukalam (Tamil)

T.E. Kishore

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For the subliminal impact created by the use of montage so as to bring to the fore thematic concerns of the narrative in a holistic manner.

20

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Enthiran (Tamil)

Sabu Cyril

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For the style and finesse realised in the creation of a set design that is coherent with the futuristic visual style of the narrative.

21

BEST COSTUME DESIGNER

Namma Gramam (Tamil)

Indrans Jayan

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For realising effectively the texture of a period in the history of modern India through miniscule attention to detailing.

22

BEST MAKE-UP ARTIST

Moner Manush

(Bengali)

Vikram Gaikwad

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For the admirable detailing and remarkable consistency achieved in the etching of the characters across an extensive time span.

23

BEST MUSIC DIRECTION

Ishqiya (Hindi)

Adaminte Makan Abu

(Malayalam)

Music Director (Songs) : Vishal Bhardwaj

Music Director (Background Score) : Issak Thomas Kottakapally

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

For blending rustic flavour with the Indian classical tradition.

For minimalistic use of appropriate background score to nurture the essence of the narrative.

24

BEST LYRICS

Thenmerkku Paruvakkatru (Tamil)

Vairamuthu

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For giving a meaningful expression to the narrative through contextual amplification of the emotion.

25

SPECIAL JURY AWARD

Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (Marathi)

Producer: Bindiya & Sachin Khanolkar

Director : Anant Narayan Mahadevan

Rajat Kamal

Rs 2,00,000/-

For a powerful cinematic presentation of an epic journey of a living character, an abandoned woman who refused to become a victim and in the process not only transformed her own life but also the lives of many others.

26

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS

Enthiran (Tamil)

V. Srinivas M Mohan

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For bringing of age a spectrum of visual special effects in Indian cinema and creating a space for the practitioners of this art form on the global map.

27

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Aadukalam (Tamil)

Dinesh Kumar

Rajat Kamal

Rs 50,000/-

For the native charm and innovative design in the art of choreography that creates an effervescent energy in the spectator.

BEST FEATURE FILM IN EACH OF THE LANGUAGE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE VIII OF THE CONSTITUTION

28

BEST ASSAMESE FILM

Jetuka Patar Dare

Producer: Md. Noorul Sultan

Director : Jadumoni Dutta

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For a heart-warming portrayal of the rural landscape with an emphasis on the need for self-reliance in the process of development.

29

BEST BENGALI FILM

Ami Aadu

Producer: New Theatres Pvt. Ltd

Director : Sonmath Gupta

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For the subtle portrayal of an endearing love story in the time of cultural conflicts. It is a sincere attempt to present the personal tragedy of the emigrant commoner caught in the crossfire of international wars.

30

BEST HINDI FILM

Do Dooni Char

Producer: Arindam Chaudhuri

Director :

Habib Faisal

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For an entertaining narrative that brings to the fore the struggle of a school teacher who is torn between maintaining his integrity and the lure of a little more comfort.

31

BEST KANNADA

Puttakkana Highway

Producer:

Shylaja Nag & Prakash Raj

Director :

B. Suresha

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For a persuasive articulation of a topical social issue where in the name of development, land is appropriated and people are displaced as a consequence.

32

BEST MALAYALAM FILM

Veettilekkulla Vazhi

Producer: B.C. Joshi

Director : Dr Biju

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For narrating the story of a doctor who overcomes personal loss to journey through an unfamiliar landscape to fulfil a promise to a dying mother and in the process finds a personal salvation.

33

BEST MARATHI FILM

Mala Aai Vhhaychay

Producer: Samruddhi Porey

Director : Samruddhi Porey

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For an emotional presentation of the story of a surrogate mother who is torn between love and sacrifice for the child.

34

BEST TAMIL FILM

Thenmerkku Paruvakkatru

Producer: Shibu Isaac

Director : Seenu Ramasamy

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For an emotive articulation of the combative spirit of a mother for whom her son’s happiness is paramount.

35

BEST ENGLISH FILM

Memories in March

Producer: Shrikant Mohta

Director : Sanjoy Nag

Rajat Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/-

Each

For the effective exploration of a bereaved mother’s coming to terms with the fact of her son’s sexual identity.

36

SPECIAL MENTION

Bettada Jeeva

(Kannada)

Aadukalam (Tamil)

Late Shivaram Karanth

V.I.S. Jayaraman

Certificate only

Certificate only

For an industry that has steadfastly refused to acknowledge and reward its creative fountainhead – the creator of its stories – the citation acknowledges a literary giant, the late Dr. Shivaram Karanth. The citation also acknowledges his valuable association with the world of Indian cinema.

With a face carved out of teak and leather, the patriarch of a cock-fighting clan stands like a colossus, even when he feels his power and authority ebbing through his fingers.

S. No.

Name of Award

Name of Film

Awardee

Medal

& Cash Prize

Citation

1

BEST NON-FEATURE FILM

Germ

(Hindi)

Producer:

Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata

Director :

Snehal R. Nair

Swarna Kamal

Rs 1,50,000/-

each

Through abstract visualization and endearing black & white tones, the film depicts the human existence, afflicted by cancer, in a very sublime and somber tone. Along with the perception and growth, from child to youth and by the curious collection of thrown passport photographs, the film maker presents the changing perspective of the vision of the modern growing world in a very engaging manner.

2

BEST DEBUT NON-FEATURE FILM OF A DIRECTOR

Pistulya

(Marathi & Telugu)

Producer:

Nagraj Manjule

Director :

Nagraj Manjule

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 75,000/- each

It is a delightful exposition of the poignant life of a poverty-stricken child, who nurtures a dream of embracing the source of learning through education, with simplicity and fluency. The director portrays the spirit of adventure of the child, through fine performances.

3

BEST ETHNOGRAPHIC FILM

Songs of Mashangva

(Tangkhul, Manipuri & English)

Producer:

Oinam Doren

Director :

Oinam Doren

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

An insightful foray into the complex and layered life of a ‘song’ and all that it carries within it for a community. It inquires into the shared critical history of a community in the specific context of an overarching missionary presence and how it has affected their lives. The jury appreciates it for the courageous, yet poetic exploration of the subject from the ethnographic perspective.

4

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL FILM

Nilamadhaba

(English)

Producer:

Films Division

Director :

Dilip Patnaik

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

An intimate portrayal of the inimitable Sunanda Pattanaik, whose life is inseparable from contemporary Indian classical music. The film explores the inner spirit of the artist through evocative moments, pregnant with visual passages.

5

BEST ARTS and CULTURE FILM

Leaving Home

(English & Hindi)

Producer:

Jaideep Varma

Director :

Jaideep Varma

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

It is an emotive and enthralling exposition of the passion and dedication of a group, bound by the spirit of music, who transcend the commercial boundary to embrace their original creative flair. Without compromising, the group led to the adventure with courage and guts. The film maker has journeyed through this adventure with dramatic sensibility and compassion.

6

BEST SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FILM

Heart to Heart

(Manipuri & English)

Producer:

Rotary Club of Imphal

Director :

Bachaspatimayum Sunzu

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

A very well constructed reality with an engaging dramatic sensibility, that depicts the grimness of natural health maladies. It guides the viewer through emotions and playful spirit of the child. With the help of medical science, it enlightens the viewer with awareness of Congenital Heart Defect and its promising treatment.

7

BEST PROMOTIONAL FILM

Ek Ropa Dhan

(Hindi)

Producer: Meghnath Bhattacharjee

Director :

Biju Toppo and Meghnath Bhattacharjee

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

A succinct and well researched film looking closely at an innovation applied effectively in the farming of rice. The film engages successfully with the issue and makes a strong case for the promotion of the practice called Ek Ropa Dhan.

8

BEST ENVIRONMENT FILM

Iron is Hot

(English)

Producer: Meghnath Bhattacharjee

Director :

Biju Toppo and Meghnath Bhattacharjee

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

The film is well documented with a forthright exposition of the grievous impact of pollution due to sponge iron industry on the inhabitants dwelling around that area. With clarity and veracity, the film maker is able to express empathy and concern on the acute prevailing problem over human existence.

9

BEST FILM ON SOCIAL ISSUES

Understanding Trafficking

(Bengali, Hindi & English)

Producer:

Cinemawoman

Director :

Ananya Chakraborti

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

To cross the line of limit, becomes an issue of indifference. Along this line, the documentary projects the serious social issue of human trafficking in a very thought provoking manner through stark and gravitating images. It airs an intriguing atmosphere of concerns through dramatized and realistic imageries.

10

BEST EDUCATIONAL FILM

Advaitham

(Telugu)

Producer:

K. Vijaypal Reddy

Director :

Pradeep Maadugula

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

The documentary exposes the human apathy of class difference through casteism in a very evoking and natural style. Through fun-filled situations and distressing moments, the director portrays the anguished and tragic aspects of casteism effecting human value and relationship.

11

BEST FILM ON SPORTS

Boxing Ladies

(Hindi)

Producer:

Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata

Director :

Anusha Nandakumar

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

A sensitive portrayal of young aspiring talents in a country where sports as passion/ profession comes up against heavy social odds and family biases. The jury applauds the film for the restrained and elevating treatment of a crucial subject underlining the silent dignity of the characters involved.

12

BEST INVESTIGATIVE FILM

A Pestering Journey

(Malayalam, Punjabi, Hindi, English & Tulu)

Producer:

Ranjini Krishnan

Director :

K. R. Manoj

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

The pet detective in a reverse act, an emotive documentary exposing not only stories of cruel impact of pest control on human health but also arrests out attention to a more fundamental question – who is a pest ?

13

SPECIAL JURY AWARD

Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein

(Hindi)

Producer:

Srishti School of Art, Design & Technology, Bangalore

Director :

Shabnam Virmani

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 1,00,000/- each

An insightful film that introduces us to the various cults that have grown around Kabir, the mystic weaver and saint. It explores the nuances of India’s argumentative tradition as exemplified by Kabir’s dohas and traces the eventful journey of one man caught in an Orwellion dilemma as he is elevated to the status of a cult leader, torn between the inevitable trappings of hierarchy that run paradoxical to the simple philosophy of Kabir.

14

SHORT FICTION FILM

Kal 15 August Dukan Band Rahegi

(Hindi)

Producer: Film & Television Institute of India, Pune

Director :

Prateek Vats

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

With energy and vigour, the documentary records very interesting images of a group of young students, who are trying to relate, with ideology of freedom and the stifling authoritarian reality. In the process, the life is entangled with intrigues and doubts.

15

BEST FILM ON FAMILY VALUES

Love in India

(Bengali & English)

Producer: Overdose

Director :

Kaushik Mukherjee

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

Explores and deconstructs the traditional and orthodox landscapes of love, sexuality and conjugal relationships and the dynamics of emerging sexual politics and value systems in contemporary India with clarity and insight laced with subtle humour.

16

BEST DIRECTION

Shyam Raat Seher

(Hindi & Engish)

Director : Arunima Sharma

Swarna Kamal

Rs 1,50,000/-each

Intelligent articulation of a shared urban angst in a powerful cinematic style and well constructed mise-en-scene. The maturity of the director is reflected in the balanced approach to all the elements that blend to create an impression in the viewers mind.

17

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Shyam Raat Seher

(Hindi & English)

Cameraman:

Murali G.

Laboratory :

Film Lab

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

Imaginative yet minimal, a balanced and evocative cinematography creates a character out of a city night atmosphere, setting the space and mood for the living characters in their journey beyond the real, nearing mythical.

18

BEST AUDIOGRAPHY

A Pestering Journey

(Malayalam, Punjabi, Hindi English & Tulu)

Re-recordist (final mixed track) :

Harikumar Madhavan Nair

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

Does one hear the cry of the pest? In between the sound of the real and evoking music, the ensuing silence tells us the stories beyond.

19

BEST EDITING

Germ

(Hindi)

Editor : Tinni Mitra

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

The abstract visualization and endearing black &white tones are very effectively punctuated with fine editing, and in the process it maintains a very subtle and flowing rhythm and pace to carry forward the cinematic work.

20

BEST NARRATION (for Writing the Narration)

Johar : Welcome to Our World (Hindi & English)

Nilanjan Bhattacharya

RAJAT Kamal

Rs 50,000/- each

A seamless powerful narrative about the symbiotic intricate relationship, the tribals of Jharkhand have with their forests and their struggle for existence against mindless aggressive development and flawed conservation policies, told with empathy and sincerity.

21

Special Mention

a. Ottayal (One Woman Alone)

( Malayalam)

b. The Zeliangrongs

(Manipuri & English)

c. Pistulya

(Marathi & Telugu)

a. Director:

Shiny Jacob Benjamin

b. Director

Ronel Haobam

c. Child Artist: Suraj Pawar

a. It is a heart warming portrayal of the woman Dayabai, who trades along a challenging path in quest of truth. The director, delves into the spirit of the woman to understand the theology of liberation, with sincerity and intelligence.

b. It is a well researched endeavour to reflect a composite group of ethnic communities of common origin and socio-cultural back-ground, which highlights the rich cultural heritage and the tribes’ traditional way of life, which is on the brink of extinction.

c. Under distressing situation and harsh reality, Pistulya, the child protagonist, displays the authenticity with vibrant and emotive expression.

S. No.

Name of Award

Name of Book

Awardee

Medal

Citation

1.

BEST BOOK ON CINEMA

From Rajahs and Yogis to Gandhi and Beyond: Images of India in International Films of the Twentieth Century (English)

Publisher : Seagull Books

Author: Vijaya Mulay

Swarna Kamal

Rs 75,000

Here is a work of rigorous film scholarship which took the author to many lands and consumed many years of her life. Written in a clear lucid style, the book evokes a panoramic view of India that perhaps was through the eyes of several filmmakers of foreign origin. What adds an extra dimension to the book is the author’s narration of her own life in films even as she is engaged in telling the larger events on and off screen.

2.

SPECIAL MENTION

1. Cinema Bhojpuri (English)

2. Thiraicheelai

(Tamil)

Publisher : Penguin Books India Ltd

Author : Avijit Ghosh

Publisher : Trisakti Sundar Raman

Author : Oviyar Jeeva

Certificate

1. Often dismissed as a poor cousin of mainstream Hindi cinema, Bhojpuri cinema, however has many interesting cultural strains that Avijit Ghosh has laid bare. Any one conversant with life in North Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh, or in many lands far beyond, would recognize the importance of this ‘subaltern’ effort.

2. This book is a sincere attempt to analyse important developments in Tamil films. It also provides an insight into the classics of world cinema, highlighting their aesthetic values.

3

BEST FILM CRITIC

Joshy Joseph (English)

and

N. Manu Chakravarthy (Kannada & English)

Swarna Kamal

Rs 37,500

Swarna Kamal

Rs 37,500

Joshy Joseph, essentially a filmmaker, proves to be an important critic as well, as he goes about writing on the most serious aspects of medium with wry humour and a lightness of touch that is difficult not to notice. His commitment to the documentary in particular sets him apart from many of those writing on cinema in this country.

Professor Chakravarthy’s writings on film and related arts are replete with profound insights into the human condition as well as the need for serious discourse on socio-cultural matters. His writings reveal the authority with which he can discuss the cinemas of the world, particularly his own Kannada cinema.