Amitabh gets best actor award for 'Black'

NEW DELHI: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan received the best actor award for his role in 'Black' while noted filmmaker Shyam Benegal bagged the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his 'outstanding contribution' to Indian cinema at a glittering ceremony on Friday.

Giving away the National Film Awards 2005 at the Vigyan Bhawan, President Pratibha Patil also conferred the best actress award on Sarika for her portrayal of a crusading mother in 'Parzania' and best film award on the Bengali movie 'Kaalpurush', which deals with a man's struggle with his father's memories.

The controversial 'Parzania', based on the 2002 sectarian violence in Gujarat, garnered the best direction award for Rahul Dholakia and the best actress award for Sarika for 'her rendition of a crusading mother who fights for justice against all adversity in a communally charged environment'.

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan's performance in 'Black' won him the best actor honour for his 'dramatic rendition of a reformed alcoholic who struggles to give a physically handicapped child a new life'.

The jury rated 'Kaalpurush - Memories In The Mist', directed by Budhadeb Dasgupta, as the best feature film. The award comprises the Swarna Kamal and Rs 50,000 each for the film's producer and director.

The film, which has the Naxalite movement in West Bengal in the 1970s as its backdrop, was selected by the jury 'for a rare lyrical style and a unique cohesion of narrative structure and characters that allows it to flow on different planes'.

Pradeep Sarkar won the Indira Gandhi Award for the best first film by a director for 'Parineeta', with the jury praising his 'competent directorial style' in recreating a 'classical novel with modern cinematic sensibilities'.

"Rang De Basanati", directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, was adjudged the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.

The Nargis Dutt Award for the best film on national integration went to the Malayalam movie 'Daivanamathil' directed by Jayaraj.

The award for the best film on social issues went to 'Iqbal', directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, for its 'inspiring and cinematically energetic portrayal of a hearing impaired person and his aspiration to become a champion cricketer'.
The best child artist award went to Sai Kumar for his 'haunting performance as a child who realises his burning desire to access school education' in the Telugu film 'Bommalata - A Bellyful Of Dreams'.

The award for the best male playback singer went to Naresh Iyer for his 'melodious rendering of the lilting song 'Roo Ba Roo' that adds exuberance' to 'Rang De Basanti'.

The best female playback singer award went to Shreya Ghoshal for her 'evocative rendition of 'Apne Aansoo Peene Ke Liye' in 'Paheli' that 'treads the fine balance between the classical and popular genre of Hindi film music'.

The best non-feature film was 'Riding Solo To The Top Of The World' (English), directed by Gaurav A Jani.

"Made in the best tradition of cinema verite, personal, vivid and natural. The film leads the viewer from revelation to revelation, giving us an opportunity to come to love and know the 'Changpas' and their unique lifestyle," the jury noted in its citation.

The best film critic award went to Baradwaj Rangan, who was recognised for his 'intelligent and reader-friendly reviews of popular cinema with a depth of understanding of the form, a discernible passion for the medium bulwarked consistently by a knowledge of the trends and touchstones of
global cinema'.

The award for the best first non-feature film by a director went to 'John & Jane' (English), produced and directed by Ashim Ahluwalia. The jury described it as 'an evocative film capturing the essence of call centres' in urban India and the pressures and dualities of life in this new reality.

In Hindi, 'Black', directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was judged the best feature film for 'a stylised and visually vibrant tale' of a physically challenged child who learns to live and become an achiever 'against insurmountable odds'.

The award for the best biographical-historical reconstruction or compilation went to 'Hans Akela-Kumar Ghandharva' (Hindi), directed by Jabbar Patel and produced by Films Division, Mumbai.

The jury said the film was made 'with a deep sense of understanding of classical music'.

"This well researched film sensitively evokes the unique personality and contribution of Kumar Gandharva and shows the human face of his outstanding creativity," it noted.

'Spirit Of The Graceful Lineage' bagged the award for the best anthropological-ethnographic film. It was produced by Bibi Devi Barbarooah and directed by Prerana Barbarooah Sharma. The jury said it was 'an interesting documentation' of the unique matrilineal society of the Khasis of Meghalaya.

'Blue Umbrella' (Hindi), directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, was adjudged the best children's film for 'its poetic and visually stunning interpretation' of a story highlighting the values of selflessness and compassion.

The Kannada film 'Thutturi', directed by P Seshadri, bagged the award for best film on environment conservation and preservation. The jury appreciated its 'imaginative portrayal' of a group of children who fight to preserve a healthy urban environment.

'Kundan', published by Saransh Prakashan and authored by Sharad Dutt, was adjudged the best book on cinema for 'its warm and insightful reconstruction' of the life and art of legendary singer-actor KL Saigal.

The jury underlined the book's 'significance as reference material' to cineastes and students of Indian cinema history.

The best cinematography award of 2005 went to cameraman Paramvir Singh for 'Parsiwada, Tarapore Present Day' for his 'visually poetic' depiction of the Parsi community with 'imaginative use of great lighting and compositions'.

The best audiography award went to Anmol Bhave for 'Closer' for 'outstandingly imaginative use of sound design' that complemented 'equally breathtaking visual wizardry'.

"'Closer' leaves its audience with a sense of beauty and awe," the jury said.

The best editing award went to Vibuti Nathjha for 'Naina Jogin'. "It is difficult to make out where one sequence ends and the other begins!" the jury remarked.

The special mention for 2005 went to director Vibhu Puri for his film 'Pocket Watch' and his 'competent execution of a good concept with great art direction, cinematography and performances'.

There was also a special mention for director Bidyut Kotoky for the film 'Bhraimoman Theatre' and its 'fascinating picture' of a cultural sub-world of Assam that captures 'true moments of emotion and joy'.

There was no award for best music direction.