DNA Exclusive!

News about the National Film Awards has been kept under wraps by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, but after the DNA report that Amitabh Bachchan and Sarika had won the top honours, we’ve also gleaned some more information.

Naseeruddin Shah has been adjudged the Best Supporting Actor for his widely applauded performance of a star cricketer fallen on lean days in ‘Iqbal’.

A Special Jury Award has been given to Anupam Kher for his sensitive portrayal in ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara’ of an old man psychologically ravaged by the loss of ideals around him.

This is Kher’s second recognition at the National Awards which had earlier singled out his performance in ‘Daddy’ for a special mention.

When contacted, Kher said, “If the news is true, then I am extremely honoured and delighted. I have not received any official news yet.”

The Best English language National Film Award has been given to Aparna Sen’s ‘15 Park Avenue’. After Hours has learnt that there was much debate in the jury, headed by B Saroja Devi, over the decision for the Best Actress Award.

Among the contenders in this category were Rani Mukherji and Konkona Sen Sharma.

In fact, some days ago Rani Mukherji appeared to be a sure shot winner for her universally saluted performance of a blind, deaf and mute girl in ‘Black’.

In the year’s major upset at the National Awards, Sarika was adjudged Best Actress in ‘Parzania’ for her performance as a Parsi mother searching for her son missing since the Gujarat riots of 2002.

The film won the Best Director Award for US-based filmmaker Rahul Dholakia.

The count till now

  • Best Actor: Amitabh Bachchan (‘Black’)
  • Best Actress: Sarika (‘Parzania’)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Naseeruddin Shah (‘Iqbal’)
  • Special Jury Award: Anupam Kher (‘Maine Gandhi Ko...’)
  • Best Director: Rahul Dholakia (‘Parzania’)
  • Best Hindi Feature Film: ‘Black’
  • Best English Language National Film: ‘15 Park Avenue’
  • Best Film: ‘Kalpurush’