54th National Film Award announced

The National Film Award ceremony this year was governed by Rajkumar Hirani's Lage Raho Munna Bhai which swept the 54th National Film Award for 2006 by winning four honours including for best popular film. The film focussed on 'non-violent' strategies in today's violent era, or as stated by the movie's gangster Sanju Baba, “Gandhigiri”. Lage Raho Munna Bhai was the first Hindi sequel which secured the same honour and rewrote history like its pre-quel Munna Bhai MBBS.

The best actor award went to Soumitra Chatterjee, the veteran Bengali film actor for the Bengali film Podokkhep, while the best actress award was won by Tamil actress Priyamani, for her film Paruthi Veeran.

Dibakar Bannerjee's Khosla Ka Ghosla won the award of best Hindi film for stating in a flawlessly tarnished manner, a common problem prevailing in the metropolis.

Madhur Bhandarkar won the best director award for his film Traffic Signal starring Konkona Sen, Kunal Khemu and Neetu Chandra in leading roles.

Privandan's Malayalam film Pulijanman was honoured as the best feature film. The Indira Gandhi award for the best feature film was jointly given to Kabul Express directed by Kabir Khan and Malayalam film Ekantham directed by Madhu Kaithapuram.

Lagey Raho Munnabhai bagged awards for other categories as well like best lyrics (Swanand Kirkire), best screenplay (Raj Kumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Abhijat Joshi) and best supporting actor (Dilip Prabhavalkar who played the role of Bapu).

Kannada film industry bagged four awards in different categories including T.S. Nagabharana-directed Kallarali Hoovagi as best film for National Integration; Kaada Beladingalu for Best regional Kannada film directed by B.S. Lingadevaru; Care of Footpath in best Children’s film Category and Koti Chennaia for best regional Anand P. Raju-directed has got the Best regional film award for Tulu.