Awards
Awards were divided into three categories as feature films, non-feature films, and books written on Indian cinema.
Lifetime Achievement Award
| Name of Award | Image | Awardee(s) | Awarded As | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award |  | Asha Bhosle [2] | Playback Singer | Swarna Kamal, ₹100,000 and a Shawl |
Feature films
Feature films were awarded at an all-India as well as regional level. For the 48th National Film Awards, a Malayalam film, Shantham won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film; a Tamil film, Bharathi won the maximum number of awards (4). Following were the awards given in each category: [1]
Juries
A committee headed by Vyjayanthimala was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. Following were the jury members: [1] [3]
- Jury Members
- Vyjayanthimala (Chairperson) •Chitra Desai • Dhritiman Chatterjee • Hariharan • Keyaar •R. Lakshman • Madhumita Raut • Mac Mohan •Nibedita Pradhan •Parvathi Indusekhar •Pawan Kumar •Sonali Kotnis •Shashi Ranjan • Sushant Mishra • Tarun Vijay
All India Award
Following awards were given: [1] [4]
Golden Lotus Award
Official Name: Swarna Kamal [1] [4]
All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Shantham | Malayalam | Producer: P. V. Gangadharan director: Jayaraj | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation:For addressing the very contemporary issue of political rivalry and violence in our society in an unusually imaginative way. The language of the film goes beyond conventional narrative for appeal to calmness and good sense. | ||||
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Sayahnam | Malayalam | Producer: M. S. Nazeer Director: R. Sarath | ₹ 25,000/- Each |
| Citation:For the nature and gripping manner in which this young director deals with complex issues like political honesty and nuclear disarmament. | ||||
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Vaanathaippola | Tamil | Producer: V. Ravichandran Director: Vikraman | ₹ 40,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its sincere projection of the values of a joint family and the need to share good and difficult times together. | ||||
| Best Children's Film | Gharaksharangal | Malayalam | Producer: Salim Padiyath Director: Salim Padiyath | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation:For depicting, through the eyes of a child love and respect for our mother tongue and culture tackling many social issues pertaining to education, agriculture and general empowerment, for a civic society. | ||||
| Best Direction | Utsab | Bengali | Rituparno Ghosh | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation:For working with a large group of actors within the confines of a rambling old house. The director builds an unpretentious, gripping and entirely credible narrative and brings about in the process some extremely powerful performances. | ||||
Silver Lotus Award
Official Name: Rajat Kamal [1] [4]
All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film on National Integration | Pukar | Hindi | Producer: Surinder Kapoor Director: Rajkumar Santoshi | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation:For tackling the problem of terrorist infiltrations and the army's counter attacks. And situations where armed and civilian forces unite against the common external enemy. | ||||
| Best Film on Family Welfare | Kal Kaa Aadmi | Hindi | Producer: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Director: Amol Palekar | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation:For telling the story of Raghunath Karve, who, early in this century, pioneered the debate on sexual and reproductive rights. The film recreates the period in painstaking detail and helps to raise consciousness about issues which are extremely relevant today. | ||||
| Best Film on Other Social Issues | Vetri Kodi Kattu | Tamil | Producer: D. Pandian Director: Cheran | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation:For discussing issues on migration from one's own land and the social implications that follow, in the heart land of Tamilnadu, highlighting the need to re-establish the holistic culture of society . | ||||
| Munnudi | Kannada | Producer: Navachitra Director: P. Sheshadri | ||
| Citation:For attempting to discuss the misuse of Shariat by opportunistic men and the manipulation of the testaments on "Nikah" and "Talaaq". | ||||
| Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation | Oru Cheru Punchiri | Malayalam | Producer: Jisha John Director: M. T. Vasudevan Nair | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation:For telling the simple and moving story of an elderly couple and their relationship with the world around them. In depicting the couple's love for the trees and plants in their garden, the film spreads the message of environmental conservation in the broadest sense in a gentle, unobtrusive way. | ||||
| Best Actor | Pukar | Hindi | Anil Kapoor | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For his role in the film. A veteran actor of great versatility, meets the varied demands of this role with credibility and assured technical skill. | ||||
| Best Actress | Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence | Hindi | Raveena Tandon | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For a portrayal of a submissive woman who is subjected to constant physical and psychological torture by her husband. The character comes out of her passive shroud fearing her daughter may suffer the same fate as her. | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | Munnudi | Kannada | H. G. Dattatreya | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For his portrayal of Hasanabba. He is an agent who procures local girls for arabs to marry in an impoverished village in Karnataka. H. G. Dattatreya brings a wonderful sensitivity to the character, without turning it into a stereotypical villain. | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Shantham | Malayalam | K. P. A. C. Lalitha | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For the role of Narayani in the film. Narayani is an elderly mother whose son has been killed in political violence. In the course of the film, she is transformed, gently and unobtrusiveuly into a crusade for peace. Lalitha brings great professional skills and sensitivity to the role. | ||||
| Best Child Artist | Nila Kaalam | Tamil | Udayaraj | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For his portrayal of Pulli in the film. Pulli is a very young orphan who works in a motor garage in chennai. The jury applauds the way in which master udayaraj brings out both the innocence and street – smartness of Pulli, with a combination of energy and spontaneity. | ||||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Kandukondain Kandukondain ("Enna Solla Pogirai") | Tamil | Shankar Mahadevan | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For the soulful rendering of the song. | ||||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Bharathi ("Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu") | Tamil | Bhavatharini | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For the song which is outstanding because it depicts the velvet voice of the diva. | ||||
| Best Cinematography | Moksha | Hindi | Cameraman: Ashok Mehta Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratory | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For providing wide range of tonal variation and outstanding compositions to cater to the changing moods of the film's narrative. | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Kadal Pookkal | Tamil | Bharathiraja | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For focusing, in present times of degeneration, on love, sacrifice and family values. | ||||
| Best Audiography | Moksha | Hindi | Anup Dev | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:The audiographer has, with extreme care, chosen the right sound, ambience and layered the tracks in an immaculate way to create an atmosphere to support the narrative of the film. | ||||
| Best Editing | Snip! | English | •Suresh Pai • Apurva Asrani | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For creating an evocative rhythm in the film enhancing the pace of the narrative while aesthetically maintaining the unit of form and content. | ||||
| Best Art Direction | Bharathi | Tamil | P. Krishnamoorthy | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For aesthetically recreating the period of early twentieth century taking great care in selecting authentic properties of the time to enhance the décor of both interiors as well as exteriors, thus bringing alive Tamilnadu of that period. | ||||
| Best Costume Design | Bharathi | Tamil | P. Krishnamoorthy | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For recreating a whole range of period costume to depict the early twentieth century of Tamil/Banaras. The aesthetic selection of colours go well with the décor of the structure/sets and the costumes give the film and authentic look. | ||||
| Best Music Direction | Refugee | Hindi | Songs and Background Score: Anu Malik | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For a score that blends with the story and heightens its narrative. A great effort has been made to ensure that the compositions have all the ingredients of the music of the soul. | ||||
| Best Lyrics | Mazha ("Gayam Hari Nama Dhayam") | Malayalam | Yusufali Kechery | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For depicting the right mix of the ethos of our land in an invocation to lord Krishna. | ||||
| Refugee ("Panchhi Nadiyaan") | Hindi | Javed Akhtar | ||
| Citation:For his inimitable style, speaks of transcending borders and countries, with beautifully written words for love and compassion. | ||||
| Best Choreography | Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal | Malayalam | G. Kala | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For the classical dance number skilfully composed, creating the symbiotic dance in keeping with our rich traditions and heritage. | ||||
| Special Jury Award | Dekha | Bengali | Soumitra Chatterjee (Actor) | ₹ 25,000/- |
| Citation:For his realistic portrayal of the scion of a fading aristocracy who has lost his eyesight. Soumitra with great subtlety takes us through myriad evoking situations of his life, past and present with great sensitivity. | ||||
Regional Awards
The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India. [1] [4]
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film in Bengali | Dekha | Producer: Ramesh Gandhi Director: Gautam Ghose | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:The film through the seen and unseen world of the protagonist tries to explore the existential dilemma of modern times which is reflected in the inexorable flow of time and intertwined into a mixed metaphor of modern allegories. | |||
| Best Feature Film in Hindi | Zubeidaa | Producer: Farouq Rattonsey Director: Shyam Benegal | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For the political turmoil has been juxtaposed with the upheavals of the life of a tempestuous Muslim girl who defies all norms to marry a much married maharaja. It is a story of obsessive love in the times of political priorities in post independent India. | |||
| Best Feature Film in Kannada | Mathadana | Producer: H. G. Narayan and I. P. Malligowda Director: T. N. Seetharam | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For delineating the way in which the larger political system influences and manipulates the lives of ordinary people at various levels, a commendable critique of the corroding corruption and power managing forces. | |||
| Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Shayanam | Producer: M. P. Sukumaran Nair Director: M. P. Sukumaran Nair | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For the film with a wonderful structure and well worked out mise-en-scenes tries to depict a complex story of the Christian community in a simple manner. | |||
| Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal | Producer: Grihalakshmi Films Director: Sathyan Anthikad | ||
| Citation:For a brilliant narrative depicting the complex relationship between a dancer wife and a loving husband. It highlights the values of life, art and the co-existence of the two. | |||
| Best Feature Film in Manipuri | Chatledo Eidee | Producer: Makhonmani Mongsaba Director: Makhonmani Mongsaba | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For narrating a complex love story in a simple manner and reflects the flavour of the land beautifully. | |||
| Best Feature Film in Marathi | Astitva | Producer: Jhamu Sughand Director: Mahesh Manjrekar | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For dealing with the social issues, adultery and the subjugation of women. The film ends on a positive note of a woman's empowerment when the protagonist extends her horizon beyond home and hearth. | |||
| Best Feature Film in Tamil | Bharathi | Producer: Media Dreams Pvt. Ltd Director: Gnana Rajasekaran | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For depicting the life and times of Subramaniya Bharati in a very authentic manner, unfolding the history of our freedom struggle. The compositions of this great visionary poet stand out with great relevance today. | |||
| Best Feature Film in Telugu | Nuvve Kavali | Producer: Ramoji Rao Director: K. Vijaya Bhaskar | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For a refreshing film about a teenage friendship that blossoms into romance. The film stands out for its youthful treatment thus bringing out the exuberance of this film. | |||
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) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film in English | Pandavas | Producer: Pentamedia Graphics Ltd Director: Pentamedia Graphics Ltd | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For bringing the epic of Mahabharata to life on screen with realistic depth and detail. | |||
Non-Feature Films
Short Films made in any Indian language and certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a documentary/newsreel/fiction are eligible for non-feature film section.
Juries
A committee headed by John Matthew Matthan was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members: [1]
- Jury Members
- John Matthew Matthan (Chairperson) •Deepa Kapur •Sudhir Nandgaonkar • Kona Venkat • Kiran Ghai
Golden Lotus Award
Official Name: Swarna Kamal [1] [5]
All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Non-Feature Film | Rasikpriya | Hindi and English | Producer: Ministry of External Affairs Director: Arun Vasant Khopkar | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its sensitive treatment of Hindustani art music, tracing its evolution and cultural confluence to the present times, rendered with an exceptional collage of visuals and sounds. | ||||
| Best Non-Feature Film Direction | Rasikpriya | Hindi and English | Arun Vasant Khopkar | ₹ 20,000/- |
| Citation:For artistically weaving visual metaphors to the rhythms of Hindustani classical music in a stylised and poetic manner. | ||||
Silver Lotus Award
Official Name: Rajat Kamal [1] [5]
All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)' and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best First Non-Feature Film | Meena Jha | Hindi | Producer: Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Director: Anjalika Sharma | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its innovative approach in narrating a story of adolescent human experiences, treated in a stylised manner. | ||||
| Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film | Scribbles on Akka | Kannada | Producer: Flavia Agnes Director: Madhusree Dutta | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For exploring the life of a 12th century Karnataka ascetic poet Mahadevi Akka, who was an exponent of individual independence. The relevance of this rebellious poet is treated dramatically, in the context of contemporary times. | ||||
| Best Biographical Film | Devanarthakan (The Divine Dancer) | Malayalam | Producer: A. V. Ali Koya for Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Director: Sudish Gopalakrishnan | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For the effective portrayal of Kodakkat Kannan Peruvannan, the renowned Theyyam artist, popularly known as Devanarthakan. | ||||
| Best Arts / Cultural Film | Tribal Women Artists | Hindi | Producer: Kuldeep Sinha for Films Division Director: Brij Bhushan for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For highlighting the creative abilities of the tribal women of Hazaribagh (Jharkhand) in an effective manner. | ||||
| Best Scientific Film | Vedic Mathematics | English | Producer: Bhanumurthy Alur for Films Division Director: K. Jagjivan Ram for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For presenting a scientific method of Mathematical calculations, existing in the Vedas and relating the relevance of this knowledge to the present times. | ||||
| Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film | The Nest | Bengali | Producer: Sparsh Productions Pvt. Ltd Director: Supriyo Sen | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For painstaking effort on capturing the uncompromising dedication oh Jatin Mahato (Midnapore – West Bengal), a heroic conservator and protector of migratory and endangered birds. | ||||
| Best Promotional Film | Pashmina Royale | English | Producer: Bappa Ray Director: Bappa Ray | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For creatively tracing the history of Pashmina shawl and aesthetically portraying the designs and styles of this ancient Kashmiri art, which has now been revived. | ||||
| Best Agricultural Film | News Magazine No:424-Vermi Culture | Hindi | Producer: Kuldip Sinha for Films Division Director: A. R. Sharief for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For methodically unfolding new techniques of composting manure from natural organic wastes that are biodegradable and eco-friendly. | ||||
| Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film | From the land of Buddhism to the Land of Buddha | English | Producer: Kuldip Sinha for Films Division Director: Shalini Shah for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its realistic and pictorial depiction of the culture, traditions and socio-economic conditions of the Tibetans settled in India. | ||||
| Best Film on Social Issues | Infiltrators | English | Producer: Urmi Chakraborty for Films Division Director: Urmi Chakraborty for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its in-depth probe that unveils the illegal migration of Bangladeshis into India and the urgent need to address this issue on humanitarian grounds. | ||||
| Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film | Tulasi | English | Producer: Bhanumurthy Alur for Films Division Director: Rajgopal Rao for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For the powerful portrayal of an aged tribal woman Tulasi's single-handed crusade against de-forestation and the resultant participation of people in preserving forests. | ||||
| Best Investigative Film | Wearing the face | English | Producer: Bankim for Films Division Director: Joshy Joseph for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For insight-fully and sensitively probing the masked lives of college students of Manipur, who are compelled by socio-political circumstances to pull rickshaws for their livelihood. | ||||
| Best Animation Film | The Landscape | Only Music | Producer: Bankim for Films Division Director: Ravi Jadhav for Films Division | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its artistic visual narration of nature's beautiful landscapes turning into modern urban horrors. | ||||
| Best Short Fiction Film | Bhor | Bengali | Producer: Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Director: Ritubarna Chudgar | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its multi-layered treatment of a story that sketches the lives of two young people (sibling) caught in the web of their past and yet coping for survival. | ||||
| Best Film on Family Welfare | Akkareninnu | Malayalam | Producer: T. Sunil Kumar, Susmitham and Pallimalkunnu Director: T. Sunil Kumar, Susmitham and Pallimalkunnu | ₹ 5,000/- Each |
| Citation:For focusing attention on the plight of a family with an AIDS patient and their struggle in overcoming the social stigma. | ||||
| Mahananda | Bengali | Producer: Films Division Director: Madhuchhanda Sengupta | ||
| Citation:For handling a sensitive theme on family welfare, which depicts the fight of a village woman from a minority community who succeeds in her pursuit of a planned family. | ||||
| Best Cinematography | Rasikpriya | Hindi and English | Cameraman: Prasann Jain Laboratory Processing: Adlabs | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation:For capturing images that speak in tones of light and shade, thereby giving life to the lyrical form of the film. | ||||
| Best Audiography | A Memory of the Sea | English | Hari Kumar | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For designing sound that imaginatively and creatively enhances the mood and narration of the film. | ||||
| Best Editing | Lokpriya | Hindi | Sankalp Meshram | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For skilfully juxtaposing three streams of visuals into one rhythmic meaningful narrative. | ||||
| Best Music Direction | Ajeeb Ghar | Hindi | Usha Khanna | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For rendering a melodious and vibrant tune, that keeps the story moving and engrossing. | ||||
| Special Jury Award | A Memory of the Sea | English | Roabin Mazumdar(Producer) Lygia Mathews(Director) | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation:For her skilful narration of the various cultures and religions from across the sea, that have historically influenced the coastal life of Malabar. | ||||
| Special Mention | Meena Jha | Hindi | Amal Neerod C. R. (Cameraman) | Certificate Only |
| Citation:For his pictorial vision and capturing of images imaginatively showing great promise. | ||||
| Balgandharv | Marathi | Haimanti Banerjee (Director) | ||
| Citation:For effectively capturing the spirit of the legendary Marathi theatre personality Balgandharv, the singer, well known for his portrayal of women characters. | ||||
Best Writing on Cinema
The stated mission of awards is to encourage the 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.[ citation needed ]
Juries
A committee headed by Bharathi Pradhan was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members: [1] [6]
- Jury Members
- Bharathi Pradhan (Chairperson) •Prakash Dubey •Jayant Ghosal
Golden Lotus Award
Official Name: Swarna Kamal [1] [7]
All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)' and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Book | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Book on Cinema | Sholay: The Making of a Classic | English | Author: Anupama Chopra Publisher: Penguin Books | ₹ 15,000/- Each |
| Citation:For its lucid story-telling. A fast-paced, informative book, a fitting tribute to a box-office phenomenon. Even after 25 years, the making of Sholay, reported crisply and researched thoroughly, makes absorbing reading. | ||||
| Best Film Critic | Telugu | Vasiraju Prakasham | ₹ 7,500/- Each | |
| Citation:For deep knowledge of cinema which is reflected in his prolific writing. | ||||
| Hindi | Suresh Sharma | |||
| Citation:For his interesting and analytical writing on cinema, constantly keeping in mind the Indian viewer. | ||||
Special Mention
All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit. [1] [7]
| Name of Award | Name of Book | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Mention (Book on Cinema) | Such Is Life | English | Author: Niranjan Pal | Certificate Only |
| Citation:For its straightforward narration and personalised nostalgia, taking the reader right into the beginnings of Indian cinema. | ||||
| Sangeet Ka Soundarya Bodh | Hindi | Author: Uma Garg | ||
| Citation:For going into and exploring a territory which authors rarely venture into – Indian film music. | ||||
| Special Mention (Film Critic) | English | Ratnottama Sengupta | ||
| Citation:For consistency and variety in her knowledgeable reporting on cinema. | ||||
Awards not given
Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award: [1] [4] [5] [7]
