56th National Film Awards

56th National Film Awards
Awarded for Best of cinema in 2008
Presented by Directorate of Film Festivals
Date January 23, 2010 (2010-01-23)
Location New Delhi
Country  India
Official website http://dff.nic.in/
 < 55th National Film Awards 57th

The 56th National Film Awards is presented to the best of Indian films censored by the Central Board of Film Certification released during the year 2008.

Contents

Feature Films

Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a feature film or featurette are eligible for Feature Film section.

A total of 28 films were awarded in the Feature Film category at the National Awards; with Jogwa bagging the maximum number of awards, five.

Juries

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Language Citation Cash Prize
Best Feature Film Antaheen Producer: Screenplay Films Pvt. Ltd.
Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Bengali For lyrical blend of technical devices in the right proportion to depict shifting human relationships in an urban scenario. 2,50,000/- Each
Best Debut Film of A Director A Wednesday! Producer: UTV Motion Pictures
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Hindi For slick and searing exposure of the tension below the normal rhythm of life and the angst of the common man in Mumbai. 1,25,000/- Each
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! Producer: UTV Motion Pictures
Director: Dibakar Banerjee
Hindi For its intelligent treatment of an off-beat subject that makes it different within the popular format. 2,00,000/- Each
Best Direction Naan Kadavul Bala Tamil For its powerful handling of an extraordinary subject that focuses on marginal characters with great convection. 2,50,000/-
Best Children's Film Gubbachigalu Producer: Media House Studio
Director: Abhaya Simha
Kannada For imaginative portrayal of a magic world that exists in the minds of children. 1,50,000/-

Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Language Citation Cash Prize
Best Feature Film on National Integration Aai Kot Nai Producer: Rajen Bora
Director: Manju Borah
Assamese For its honest look at a burning problem in Northeast India, its attempt to break down artificial boundaries and giving it a human and aesthetic appeal. 1,50,000/- Each
Best Film on Family Values Little Zizou Producer: Jigri Dost Productions
Director: Sooni Taraporevala
English, Gujarati For its witty and intelligent handling of the conflicts and convictions confronting the Parsi community. 1,50,000/- Each
Best Film on Other Social Issues Jogwa Producer: Shripal Morakhia
Director: Rajeev Patil
Marathi For hard hitting comment on the victims of age old social customs. 1,50,000/- Each
Best Film on Environment Conservation / Preservation Jianta Bhoota Producer: Akshay Kumar Parija
Director: Prashanta Nanda
Oriya For sensitive portrayal of exploitation of innocence in the name of development. 1,50,000/- Each
Best Animated Film Roadside Romeo Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Jugal Hansraj
Animator: Tata Elxsi/VCL
Hindi For its technical achievements to further the craft of animation for mainstream audience. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Actor Jogwa Upendra Limaye Marathi For his restrained yet powerful depiction of a complex character. 50,000/-
Best Actress Fashion Priyanka Chopra Hindi For convincing portrayal of a whole range of emotions within a single character. 50,000/-
Best Supporting Actor Rock On!! Arjun Rampal Hindi For his moving performance as a musician trying to rise above personal tragedy. 50,000/-
Best Supporting Actress Fashion Kangna Ranaut Hindi For compelling portrayal of a down and out supper model that enriches the impact of the film. 50,000/-
Best Child Artist Thanks Maa Shams Patel Hindi For his very natural depiction of a street child thrown into an unusual situation. 50,000/-
Best Male Playback Singer Jogwa Hariharan
("Jeev Dangla Gungla Rangla")
Marathi For his soulful rendition reflecting the agony of unfulfilled emotions. 50,000/-
Best Female Playback Singer Antaheen
Jogwa
Shreya Ghoshal
("Pherari Mon")
("Jeev Dangla Gungla Rangla")
Bengali
Marathi
For her wide ranging rendition of human emotions. 50,000/-
Best Cinematography Antaheen Cameraman: Abhik Mukhopadhyay
Laboratory Processing: Filmlab, Mumbai
Bengali For the poetically captured visuals with inspired use of light and shades to enhanced the mood of the film. 50,000/- Each
Best Screenplay Gandha Sachin Kundalkar Marathi For its remarkable integration of three different plots using the sense of smell at as a liet motif to focus sensitively on human relationships. 50,000/-
Best Audiography Gandha Pramod J. Thomas Marathi For its use of dramatically scripted sounds to heighten the mood of the film. 50,000/-
Best Editing Firaaq A. Sreekar Prasad Hindi For aesthetically weaving together unrelated sequences to heighten the dramatic impact. 50,000/-
Best Art Direction Firaaq Gautam Sen Hindi For its perfect use of props and choice of colours to enhance the ambience of a post-riots. 50,000/-
Best Costume Design Jodhaa Akbar Neeta Lulla Hindi For its painstaking detail to recreate the costume costumes and jewellery of Mughal era. 50,000/-
Best Make-up Artist Naan Kadavul V. Moorthy Tamil For its wide variety of make-up inputs to reflect the large spectrum of characters. 50,000/-
Best Music Direction Jogwa Ajay-Atul Marathi For its well-researched use of traditional and folk music to reinforce the theme of the film. 50,000/-
Best Lyrics Antaheen Anindya Bannerjee
Chandranil Bhattacharya
("Pherari Mon")
Bengali For its simple composition of verses to contribute meaningfully to the film. 50,000/-
Special Jury Award Bioscope Producer: National Film Development Corporation of India
Director: K.M. Madhusudhanan
Malayalam For its exciting revival of a sincerely personal style to look back on a chapter of history. 2,00,000/-
Best Special Effects Mumbai Meri Jaan Govardhan (Tata Elxsi) Hindi For the stunning use of special effects to enhance the visual sweeps of the fantastical story telling. 50,000/-
Best Choreography Jodhaa Akbar Chinni Prakash
Rekha Prakash
("Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah")
Hindi For its extravagant and dreamlike treatment of celebrations on a magnificent scale. 50,000/-

Best Feature Film in Each of the Language Specified In the Schedule VIII of the Constitution

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Citation Cash Prize
Best Feature Film in Assamese Mon Jaai Producer: Moirangthem Movies
Director: M. Maniram
For its honest exploration of ethical values confronting the youth. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Bengali Shob Charitro Kalponik Producer: Reliance Big Pictures
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Poetic treatment of an individual sensitivities in a crisis. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Hindi Rock On!! Producer: Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
Director: Abhishek Kapoor
For an emotional story of musical bonding. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Kannada Vimukthi Producer: Navyachitra Creations
Director: P. Sheshadri
For exploring different dimension of family ties. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Malayalam Thirakkatha Producer: Varnachithra Big Screen
Director: Ranjith
For its poignant story of an actress told with sincerity and conviction. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Marathi Harishchandrachi Factory Producer: UTV Motion Pictures
Director: Paresh Mokashi
For its original of stylized recreation of a slice of history. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Tamil Vaaranam Aayiram Producer: V. Ravichandran
Director: Gautham Vasudeva Menon
For its engaging depiction of a depiction of a father and son relationship. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Telugu 1940 Lo Oka Gramam Producer: N.C. Narasimham
Director: Narasimha Nandi
For its courageous handling of caste-based prejudices. 1,00,000/- Each

Best Feature Film in Each of the Language Other Than Those Specified In the Schedule VIII of the Constitution

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Citation Cash Prize
Best Feature Film in English Land Gold Women Producer: Vivek Agrawal
Director: Avantika Hari
For its intense depiction of the issue of honour killing. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Kokborok Yarwng Producer: Joseph Kizhakechennadu
Director: Joseph Pulinthanath
For a meaningful story of displaced people looking to rebuild their lives. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Feature Film in Tulu Gaggara Producer: M. Durganand
Director: Shivadhwaj Shetty
For its attempt to preserve traditional folk forms. 1,00,000/- Each

Non-Feature Films

Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format and released on either film format or video/digital but certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a documentary/newsreel/fiction are eligible for non-feature film section.

Juries

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Language Citation Cash Prize
Best Non-Feature Film AFSPA 1958 Producer: Bachaspa Timayun Sunzu & Haobam Paban Kumar
Director: Haobam Paban Kumar
Manipuri, English A courageous depiction of the non-violent resistance of the people of Manipur to protest against a legislation, which undermines the values of self respect and the fundamentals of democracy. The documentation process by various crews and the way it is chronicled offers multiple perspectives. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Direction Three Of Us Umesh Kulkarni No Spoken Language, Only Music With immense sensitivity, the film offers a slice of life of a physically challenged person, which transcends into a telling cinematic practice of minimalism and control. A poetic exploration that breathes the indomitable spirit of these real characters playing themselves, way above its bleak mise-en-scene. 1,00,000/-

Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Language Citation Cash Prize
Best Debut Film of A Director Vitthal Producer: Vinoo Choliparambil & Manu Pushpendran
Director: Vinoo Choliparambil
Marathi A sensitive portrayal of the latent violence building up in a child against the ritualistic social norms which are forced on him. The filmmaker demonstrates maturity and dexterity in handling the script and the actors, bringing out the complexity of a child’s mind trapped in a world of adults. 1,00,000/- Each
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film Boliya Pitaier Sohoki Sootal Producer: Altaf Mazid, Zabeen Ahmed & Susanta Roy
Director: Altaf Mazid
Assamese A film which uniquely depicts the long arduous struggle of a community to build check dams using their indigenous engineering skills. An experiential journey which transcends documentation and makes the viewer participate in the process. 50,000/- Each
Best Biographical Film The Assassination Of Rajiv Gandhi – A Reconstruction Producer: Films Division
Director: R. Krishna Mohan
English Traversing vast stretches of time and geographical space, this film deftly puts together strands of information, perception, evidence and historical contexts to reconstruct a compelling narrative about the gruesome assassination of a world leader. 50,000/- Each
Best Arts / Cultural Film Karna Motcham Producer: MGR Film & TV Institute
Director: S. Murali Manohar
Tamil Using powerful imagery and ironical juxtaposition, the film depicts the life of a Koothu artist. With subtlety, it captures the frustration and the hopelessness of a performer whose art is a misfit in a changing cultural world. 50,000/- Each
Best Scientific Film Trip Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Director: Emmanuel Palo
English The film with a simple, almost lighthearted, treatment evolves into a powerful message of conservation. Using an unconventional music track and animation, the film jolts the viewer to relook at waste and pollution. 50,000/- Each
Best Promotional Film Lost and Found Producer: Harshavardhan G. Kulkarni, Kirti Nakhwa & Amitabh Shukla
Director: Harshavardhan G. Kulkarni
Marathi, English & Hindi Using a bottle as a metaphor for a journey of discovery, the filmmaker finds an innovative style to explore various locations through people and their experiences, challenging the classical promotional style of selling tourism. 50,000/- Each
Best Environment Film Including Agriculture The Land Of Rupshupas Producer: Films Division
Director: A.K. Sidhpuri
English With breath taking images of the higher Himalayas and the nomadic people living in this harsh climate and terrain, the film effectively explores the relationship of the Rupshupas with their livestock and how critical it is for their survival. 50,000/- Each
Best Film on Social Issues The Female Nude Producer: PSBT
Director: Hemjyotika & Devi Prasad Mishra
Hindi A compelling portrait of a woman who rises above her circumstances in an unconventional way, carving out a position for herself irrespective of how others view her. 50,000/- Each
Buru Gaara Producer: PSBT
Director: Shriprakash
Hindi The journey of two adivasi women from Jharkhand, finding their identity and dignity using language - one through poetry and the other through grassroots journalism. The film creates a space where the narratives of the women emerge as powerful tales of their struggle for empowerment.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film Polio Vs. Polio Victims Producer: Gulshan Sachdeva
Director: Aman Sachdeva
English, Hindi & Marathi An innovative campaign for the eradication of polio - the film follows the polio afflicted who take the initiative for mass awareness by going door to door. 50,000/- Each
Best Exploration / Adventure Film (to include sports) Shingnaba Producer: Bachaspa Timayum Sunzu
Director: Bachaspa Timayum Sunzu
Manipuri The film is an inspiring portrayal of an HIV positive person who dramatically transforms his life and becomes a champion body builder. A first person narrative, it provides a new perspective on AIDS and our understanding of sports. 50,000/- Each
Best Investigative Film Distant Rumblings Producer: Ms. Rongsenkala
Director: Bani Prakash Das
English The film evokes painful memories of World War II as experienced by people of North East India, after the Japanese invasion. Through war wreckages found in the jungles and first person accounts, the film stitches together a moving story of affected families long forgotten. 50,000/- Each
Best Animated Film Prince And The Crown Of Stones Producer: Children's Film Society, India
Director: Gautam Benegal
Animator: Gautam Benegal
English A well knit theme-oriented film, complemented by 2D graphics and a restrained colour palette. A strong message about leadership emerges through the film making it relevant to the contemporary times. 50,000/- Each
Special Jury Award Children Of The Pyre Rajesh S. Jala (Director) Hindi Constrained by the stifling and searing world of children working in cremation grounds, the film helps them to recreate a world of their own. The director captures rare reflexive moments of the children and makes the viewers live their pain, joys and dreams. 50,000/-
Vitthal Aniket Rumade (Child actor) Marathi For his excellent portrayal of a young boy, Vitthal, dealing with ritualistic norms forced on him and his struggle to contain the anger brewing within. Certificate Only
Best Short Fiction Film Stations Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Director: Emmanuel Palo
Hindi, Marathi & English The film weaves a complex contemporary form of expression, through fragmented stories of a few sparsely connected lives in transit, over an omnipresent dark urban reality of economic disparity, alienation, and bad faith. 50,000/- Each
Best Film on Family Welfare Appuvin Nayagan - Spotty (My Hero) Producer: A.V. Anoop
Director: Madhavan
Tamil The film scores with a very tender story that transforms into a moving portrayal of a child’s attachment to her toy and her grandfather’s dilemma when he loses it. A sensitive film that offers fresh insights into a child’s imagination and needs. 50,000/- Each
Best Cinematography Three Of Us Cameraman: Shariqva Badar Khan
Laboratory Processing: Filmlab, Mumbai
No Spoken Language, Only Music With amazing discipline and sensitivity, the cinematography provides an intimate insight into the lives of a small family, living in a confined space, with exquisite use of composition, rhythm, lensing and lighting. 50,000/-
When This Man Dies Cameraman: Jayakrishna Gummadi
Laboratory Processing: Adlabs Films Ltd.
Hindi, English Using highly sophisticated texture and tonal work, with deep anticipation into the flow and narrative of the film, the cinematography strives to redefine ways of image making and experience.
Best Audiography Children Of The Pyre Re-recordist: Mateen Ahmad Hindi With multiple layers of sound, and the incessant crackle of funeral pyres that cease to sleep, the film grips its audience with a sense of entrapment around the life of children working inside a cremation ground. It is a telling example of digetic sound design keeping its truth to the reality of the location. 50,000/-
Best Editing Stations Manoj Kannoth Hindi, Marathi & English A delicately interwoven edit of three sparsely connected contemporary urban tales of alienation. Developing a rhythm with parallel and simultaneous stories, the cutting sculpts an extremely powerful contemporary form. 50,000/-
Best Music Direction Narmeen Vipin Mishra Hindi, Punjabi A sensitive and evocative musical score, with an amazing use of the violin ensemble, which is both a deeply personal and universal experience. 50,000/-
Best Narration / Voice Over Sana Keithel Elangbam Natasha English A gentle and intimate voice which leads you to a great treasure house of insights on markets run by women in Manipur. 50,000/-

Best Writing On Cinema

The awards aim at encouraging study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of this art-form through publication of books, articles, reviews etc.

Juries

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

Name of Award Name of Book Awardee(s) Language Citation Cash Prize
Best Book on Cinema Bollywood Melodies Publisher: Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd.
Author: Ganesh Anantharaman
English Ganesh Anantraman sails down the mainstream of Hindi film music but manages to find rivulets of solace all his own. He blends substance with style, taking care not to appear too profound or flimsy. He brings out the lesser known aspects of popular Hindi film songs thereby infusing them with fresh dignity. Ganesh delves into the ragas of film songs, keeping some space for little banter between artists. 75,000/- Each
Special Mention The Director’s Mind Ujjal Chakraborty English Ujjal Chakraborty gives a fresh insight into the works of timeless luminaries. That is no mean achievement considering Ujjal talks of works of some of biggest film makers. Rather then [sic] confusing the readers with technical jargon, Ujjal brings to the fore the ethos of film making, revealing the masterpieces of past Masters. Certificate Only
Best Film Critic -- Altaf Mazid English, Assamese A straight laced expression marks Altaf Mazid’s works. His simple narration of subjects is backed up by a researcher’s keen eye. He talks of the specific in a universally acceptable manner. No flourishes, he focuses on Assamese film industry with steadfastness and perseverance. Quite appropriately too, for an industry that is now celebrating its Platinum jubilee. 75,000/-
R.K.Bidur Singh Manipuri R.K. Bidur Singh takes the readers to a state little known to our film makers. He understands cinema like few others, bringing with him an open mindset that accepts the plurality of thought. He upholds the cause of regional film makers and his ability to focus on cultural relativity does not leave him even when he talks of international cinema. He loves films and it shows in his works.

See also

External links