Bollywood booms in 56th National Film Awards

The 56th National Film Awards for the year 2008 were conferred by hon'ble President of India Pratibha Devi Singh Patil at a glittering function in Vigyan Bhawan Friday evening. The Bollywood dominated the winners list by grabbing over 10 awards in different categories. But, for the first time in Indian cinema, a technician was awarded Industries’ top honour – prestigious 'Dada Saheb Phalke award' for his outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema.

President Patil honoured V K Murthy (87), an eminent cinematographer from a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), one shawl and a cash prize of Rs.10-lakh for his incredible job behind the camera.

Murthy is better known for his unforgettable and breathtaking shots in Guru Dutt's Indian classics like Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) , Aar-Paar (1954) , Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz ke Phool (1959) and Chaudhvin ka Chand (1960). He began his career in 1946 and shot India's first cinemascope (70 mm) film Kaagaz Ke Phool. President specially mentioned his work in her speech.

He worked in Baazi (1951), Jaal (1952), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955), C.I.D. (1956), 12 O'Clock (1958), Ziddi (1964), Love in Tokyo (1966), Suraj (1966), Hoovu Hannu (kannada), Naya Zamana (1971), Pakeezah (1972) Jugnu (1973), Nastik (1983), Razia Sultan (1983,) Kalyug Aur Ramayan (1987), Tamas (1987), Khule Aam (1992), and Deedar (1992).

Bengali movie Antheen was awarded the best film while popular Bollywood movie Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! directed by Dibakar Banerjee got the Best Popular Film providing wholesome entertainment award.

Bala for Naan Kadavul (Tamil) got the Best Director award while Gubbachigalu (Kannada) was conferred as the Best Children's Film award.

The Swarn Kamals were given to the above category while remaining were got Rajat Kamals (Silver Lotus).

Besides 'Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment', Bollywood got the awards for different categories too comprising Best Actress (Priyanka Chopra for Fashion), Best Supporting Actress (Kangna Ranaut for Fashion), Best Supporting Actor (Arjun Rampal for Rock On!), Best Editing (A. Sreekar Prasad for Firaaq), Best Art Direction (Gautam Sen for Firaaq), Best Costume Design (Neeta Lulla for Jodhaa Akbar), Best Choreography (Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash for Jodha Akbar), and Best Special Effects ( Govardhan (Tata Elxsi) for Mumbai Meri Jaan).

Moreover, A Wednesday got Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director and Rock On! got the Best Movie in Hindi category.

Jugal Hansraj's Roadside Romeo won the award for the Best Animation Film for the children.

The Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration went to Assamese movie Aai Kot Nai while Jogva (Marathi) won the awards for the Best Film on Social Issues. Jogva also won awards for Best Music Direction, Best Playback Singer (Male) and Best Acting (male) category. Ajay Atul, Hari Haran and Upendra Limaye won the awards respectively.

Shreya Ghoshal for Antheen won the Best Play Back Singer (Female) award.

Shams Patel won the Best Child Artist award for Thanks Maa (Hindi). He played a very natural role of a street child who was thrown into an unusual situation. President was very influenced with the performance of little Shams.

Little Zizou (English/Gujarati) directed by Sooni Taraporewala got the award for the Best Film on Family Values.

In Non-Feature Films category, AFSPA 1958, directed by Haobam Paban Kumar won the award for Best Non-Feature Film while Vitthal directed by Vinoo Choliparambil got the Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director award.

The award for Best Film on Social Issues went to The Female Nude directed by Hemjyotika and Devi Prasad Mishra and Buru Gaara, directed by Shriprakash.

Moreover, the Best Film on Family Values awards went to Appuvin Nayagan – Spotty (My Hero), directed by Madhavan.

The award for Best Writing on Cinema went to Ganesh Anantharaman for writing Bollywood Melodies (English).