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39th National Film Awards

1991 Indian film award


1991 Indian film award

FieldValue
number39
awardNational Film Awards
caption39th National Film Awards
awarded_forBest of Indian cinema in 1991
award_orgDirectorate of Film Festivals
presenting_orgR. Venkataraman
(President of India)
announced_date
presented_date
siteSiri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi
websitedff.nic.in
lifetime_achievementBhalji Pendharkar
best_featureAgantuk
best_non_featureSons of Abotani: The Misings
best_book*Athmanindayude Pookal
(Flowers of Self-Condemnation)*
best_criticGautam Kaul
most_winsAgantuk
Bharatham
Dharavi (3)
last38th
next40th

(President of India) (Flowers of Self-Condemnation)* Bharatham Dharavi (3)

The 39th National Film Awards were presented by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in the year 1991, with the ceremony taking place in 1992.

With the 39th National Film Awards, two new awards were introduced for the feature films section. These awards include the National Film Award for Best Special Effects and the National Film Award for Best Choreography and were awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus). These two newly introduced awards were not given for 39th National Film Awards as no films/entries were found to be suitable.

Also, the National Film Award for Best Writing on Cinema and the National Film Award for Best Film Critic, which were until then awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus), were awarded with Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus).

Awards

Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films, and books written on Indian cinema.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Name of AwardImageAwardee(s)Awarded AsAwards
Dadasaheb Phalke Award[[File:Bhalji Pendharkar 2013 stamp of India.jpg75px]]Bhalji PendharkarFilm director, Film producer and screenwriterSwarna Kamal, and a Shawl

Feature films

Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 39th National Film Awards, a Bengali film, Agantuk won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film also winning the maximum number of awards (3) along with a Malayalam film, Bharatham and a Hindi film, Dharavi. Following were the awards given in each category:

Juries

A committee headed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. Following were the jury members:

  • Jury Members
    • Adoor Gopalakrishnan (Chairperson)Aamir Raza HusainAshish SarafFirooze RangoonwalaGummadiHema ChaudharyR. LakshmanLalitha RaveeNabyendu ChatterjeeNityananda SamntarayP. MadhavanPrafulla SaikiaP. R. S. PillayRaja MitraSreekumaran ThampiUrvashi TalwarVinod Nagpal

All India Award

Following were the awards given:

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Name of AwardName of FilmLanguageAwardee(s)Cash prize
Best Feature FilmAgantukBengaliProducer: NFDC50,000/-
director: Satyajit Ray25,000/-
Citation: For its masterly treatment of an unusual subject investing it with humour, suspense and drama accomplishing remarkable insight into human behaviour.
Best DirectionAgantukBengaliSatyajit Ray50,000/-
Citation: For the outstanding craftsmanship and the command over the language of cinema he employed in creating a remarkable cinematic experience.
Best Debut Film of a DirectorHaladharAssameseProducer: Geeti Barua and Dwijen Hazorika
Director: Sanjeev Hazorika25,000/- Each
Citation: For its freshness of approach, the subtlety of its pervasive humour and the courage shown in choosing to build a film around a plough.
Best Children's FilmAbhayamMalayalamProducer: Children's Film Society30,000/-
Director: Sivan15,000/-
Citation: For its outstanding qualities as a film that entertains children and adults alike.
Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Name of AwardName of FilmLanguageAwardee(s)Cash prize
Second Best Feature FilmFiringotiAssameseProducer: Sailadhar Baruah and Jahnu Barua30,000/-
Director: Jahnu Barua15,000/-
Citation: For its artistic excellence and for the effective use of the medium for portraying a theme of immense social relevance.
Best ScreenplayKadavuMalayalamM. T. Vasudevan Nair10,000/-
Citation: For its sensitive and poetic treatment of disillusionment of an underprivileged adolescent.
Best CinematographyAadi MimansaOriyaCameraman: Apurba Kishore Bir
Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratories10,000/- Each
Citation: For achieving high degree of accomplishment in painting the film with light, imparting a sensuous quality to the texture and feel of the film.
Best AudiographyRukmavati Ki HaveliHindiAjay Munjal
A. M. Padmanabhan10,000/-
Citation: For the quality and effectiveness of sound in contributing to the ambience of stark oppression that pervades the film.
Best EditingDharaviHindiRenu Saluja10,000/-
Citation: For achieving right timing and rhythm, with the dexterous juxtaposition of sound and visuals.
Best Art DirectionRukmavati Ki HaveliHindiSamir Chanda10,000/-
Citation: For creating an authentic and real setting, matching the mood and manner of the film.
Best Music DirectionDharaviHindiRajat Dholakia10,000/-
Citation: For using music as an integral part of the film structure, furthering the meaning and dimensions of the theme.
Best Costume DesignLamheHindiNeeta Lulla
Kachins
Leena Daru10,000/-
Citation: For faithfully recreating the colour, variety and richness of the dresses worn in Rajasthan.
Best ActorBharathamMalayalamMohanlal10,000/-
Citation: For his range as an actor as well as the restraint he applied in the portrayal of the much misunderstood musician.
Best ActressFiringotiAssameseMoloya Goswami10,000/-
Citation: For the subtle and natural portral of a teacher who overcomes the trauma of her personal life and dedicates herself to the pursuit of a noble mission.
Best Supporting ActorYagnamTeluguP. L. Narayana10,000/-
Citation: For convincing portrayal of the oppressed farmer.
Best Supporting ActressYamanamMalayalamSantha Devi10,000/-
Citation: For her work in the film, who lives the role of the understanding and tormented mother.
Best Child ArtistBhadram KodukoTeluguSanthosh Reddy5,000/-
Citation: For giving a natural performance of a street-smart child.
Best Male Playback SingerBharathamMalayalamK. J. Yesudas10,000/-
Citation: For the mellifluous and masterful rendering of songs in the classical style.
Best Female Playback SingerSwathi Kiranam
("Aanati Neeyaraa")TeluguVani Jairam10,000/-
Citation: For the texture and clarity of her voice, which enlivened the classical song sung for the child prodigy.
Best LyricsMysooru MalligeKannadaK. S. Narasimhaswamy10,000/-
Citation: For the depth and poetic quality of the lyrics.
Best Feature Film on National IntegrationAadi MimansaOriyaProducer: Apurba Kishore Bir30,000/-
Director: Apurba Kishore Bir15,000/-
Citation: For its strong appeal for integration and upholding of human values brought about through a remarkbly understated treatment of incidents from everyday life.
Best Film on Family WelfareDurgaHindiProducer: NFDC30,000/-
Director: Basu Chatterjee15,000/-
Citation: For the skilful way in which the message of small family norm is communicated.
Best Film on Other Social IssuesYamanamMalayalamProducer: Ajayan Varicolil30,000/-
Director: Bharath Gopi15,000/-
Citation: For advocating the cause of physically handicapped and upholding their right to be on their own, in a world that is more generous with its sympathy than understanding.
Special Jury AwardAntardhanBengaliSoumitra Chatterjee (Actor)10,000/-
Citation: For his outstanding screen performances, especially in the films of Satyajit Ray.
Special MentionAgantukBengaliMamata Shankar (Actress)Certificate Only
Citation: For her performance as the housewife.
BharathamMalayalamRaveendran (Music director)
Citation: For the quality of music composed for the song.

Regional Awards

The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India.

Name of AwardName of FilmAwardee(s)Cash prize
Best Feature Film in AssameseSarothiProducer: Bhabendra Nath Saikia20,000/-
Director: Bhabendra Nath Saikia10,000/-
Citation: For the suggestive and sympathetic portrayal of the breadwinner of a middle-class family who stands alone and isolated even in his own home.
Best Feature Film in BengaliAntardhanProducer: Nabakumar Chandra, Swapan Kumar Mitra and Sucheta Mitra20,000/-
Director: Tapan Sinha10,000/-
Citation: For the manner in which the suspense is built and sustained throughout the film.
Best Feature Film in HindiDikshaProducer: NFDC and Doordarshan20,000/-
Director: Arun Kaul10,000/-
Citation: For the impressive treatment of a relevant social theme.
DharaviProducer: NFDC and Doordarshan20,000/-
Director: Sudhir Mishra10,000/-
Citation: For its affirmation of the indefatigable human spirit of survival.
Best Feature Film in KannadaMysooru MalligeProducer: Srihari L. Khode20,000/-
Director: T. S. Nagabharana10,000/-
Citation: For the bold attempt in conceiving and structuring a film stringing together poems written by the Kannada poet K. S. Narasimhaswamy.
Best Feature Film in MalayalamKadavuProducer: M. T. Vasudevan Nair20,000/-
Director: M. T. Vasudevan Nair10,000/-
Citation: For its simplicity of treatment in the delineation of rural life with a genuine feel for human values and relationships.
Best Feature Film in OriyaTaraProducer: Bijaya Jena20,000/-
Director: Bijaya Jena10,000/-
Citation: Marked by its sincerity in truthfully portraying woman's search for her identity in a male dominated society.
Best Feature Film in TamilVanna Vanna PookkalProducer: S. Thanu20,000/-
Director: Balu Mahendra10,000/-
Citation: For the truthful and effective portrayal of juvenile romance ending in unexpected tragedy.
Best Feature Film in TeluguBhadram KodukoProducer: V. Ramachandra Rao20,000/-
Director: Akkineni Kutumba Rao10,000/-
Citation: For effectively focussing attention on the need for providing protection to homeless children.

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 Buddhadeb Dasgupta was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:

  • Jury Members
    • Buddhadeb Dasgupta (Chairperson)Arun KaulJag MohanJehangir ChaudharyVijaya Mulay

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Name of AwardName of FilmLanguageAwardee(s)Cash prize
Best Non-Feature FilmSons of Abotani: The MisingsMishingProducer: Dilip Doley
Director: Gautam Bora25,000/- Each
Citation: For effectively portraying the life of tribe which lives on the banks of river Bramhaputra and its struggle to survive. The film is marked by its lyrical quality, serenity, sculpted sound and imaginative music.

Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)' and cash prize.

Name of AwardName of FilmLanguageAwardee(s)Cash prize
Best First Non-Feature FilmKamlabaiMarathi, HindiProducer: Reena Mohan
Director: Reena Mohan10,000/- Each
Citation: The director has presented a sensitive and heartwarming portrait of a remarkable woman who was the first lady of the Indian screen and a versatile stage actress.
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic FilmThe Valiant OnesEnglishProducer: A. K. Balakrishnan
Director: A. K. Balakrishnan10,000/- Each
Citation: For the competently presenting the traditional lifestyle of Kodagus, the distinctive community of Coorga in Karnataka.
Best Biographical FilmBhavantaranaOriyaProducer: Bombay Cinematograph Pvt. Ltd
Director: Kumar Shahani10,000/- Each
Citation: For presenting the life and art of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra in distinct stylised manner.
Kabitar Ananta JatrapatheBengaliProducer: Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal
Director: Sanat Kumar Dasgupta
Citation: For imaginative visualisation of poetry of the late Jibananand Das and relating it to his life and time.
Best Arts / Cultural FilmSanchariEnglishProducer: Arun Khopkar
Director: Arun Khopkar10,000/- Each
Citation: For memorable presentation of form and content of the Bharatnatyam dance through the exposition of Leela Samson's art, brilliantly synthesising dance and cinematographic language.
Best Scientific FilmSilent Valley – An Indian RainforestEnglishProducer: Eco Media Pvt. Ltd
Director: Shekhar Dattari and Revati Mukherjee10,000/- Each
Citation: For its painstaking and inspiring presentation of the ecological heritage and the threat to the environment.
Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film*Mudialy Ekti Bikalpa Pantha
(The Mudialy Alternative)*EnglishProducer: Dilip Kumar Roy
Director: Samiran Dutta10,000/- Each
Citation: For faithfully presenting people's participation in improving and conserving the environment.
Best Promotional FilmOf Mines and MenEnglishProducer: P. C. Sharma
Director: Raghu Krishna10,000/- Each
Citation: For presenting the work of Indian Bureau of Mines in all its aspects including its concern for the environment in a competent manner.
Best Agricultural FilmMalberiyum PattunoolumMalayalamProducer: Kerala State Film Development Corporation
Director: P. P. Govindan10,000/- Each
Citation: For presenting sericulture through all its stages in pleasing and informative manner.
Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation FilmAnand BhavanEnglishProducer: V. B. Chandra
Director: Yash Chaudhary10,000/- Each
Citation: For chronicling the history of the home of Nehrus in Allahabad as if told by the huge historic house in the first person.
Best Film on Social IssuesEyes of StoneHindi, MarwariProducer: Nilita Vachani
Director: Nilita Vachani10,000/- Each
Citation: For portraying with sympathy and understanding the plight of the so-called possessed women.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional FilmA Story of TriumphEnglishProducer: Poona District Leprosy Committee
Director: Vishram Revankar10,000/- Each
Citation: For portraying human triumph over the disease of leprosy through the testimony of cured and rehabilitated patients.
Best Investigative FilmBhagirathi Ki PukaarHindiProducer: Anwar Jamal
Director: Anwar Jamal10,000/- Each
Citation: For the in-depth analysis of the impact of proposed Tehri Dam on the environment and the people affected by it.
Best Animation FilmBallu ShahHindiProducer: Children's Film Society
Director: Rajesh Aggarwal
Animator: S. M. Hasan10,000/- Each
Citation: For its humorous presentation of a traditional children's story done with imaginative animation and sound.
Best Short Fiction FilmPunaravrittiHindiProducer: Film and Television Institute of India
Director: Imo Singh10,000/- Each
Citation: For delicating handling the loneliness and plight of an old woman who is forced to relive emotions because of her overprotective nature.
TotanamaHindiProducer: Vikas Satwalekar
Director: Chandita Mukherjee
Citation: For its traditional style, narrative structure and good production values.
Best Film on Family WelfareA Matter of MotherhoodEnglishProducer: Rajiv Mehrotra
Director: Rajiv Mehrotra10,000/- Each
Citation: For its competent attempt to educate the people, especially in the rural areas, on various aspects of motherhood in the prevailing atmosphere of traditional beliefs.
Best CinematographySilent Valley – An Indian RainforestEnglishCameraman: Shekar Dattari
Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratories10,000/- Each
Citation: For the arduous and patient coverage of the flora and fauna of the Silent Valley in Kerala over a period of one-and-a-half years and for giving an intimate portrait of the environment, recorded under difficult conditions.
Best AudiographySons of Abotani: The MisingsMishingAnil Tendulkar and Gautam Bora10,000/-
Citation: For the selective and imaginative use of commentary and dialogues and the sculpted sound which enriches the film.
Best EditingSanchariEnglishRajesh Parmar10,000/-
Citation: For his work, which beautifully creates a structure that responds to the rhythms of the dance.
Special Jury AwardMeitei PungEnglishAribam Syam Sharma (director)5,000/-
Citation: For sensitively depicting the role that Pung, the traditional drum, plays in the Sankirtana and social life of Manipur.
AkrutiB. Narsing Rao (Director)5,000/-
Citation: For experimentation with forms of boulders of various shapes and textures, brilliantly visualised by A. K. Bir with the evocative music of Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia.
Special MentionLiving on the JunkEnglishDebal Basu (Director)Certificate Only
Citation: For his work in directing the film. The film is a sincere maiden effort in focussing attention on the significant contribution of ragpickers of a metropolis in minimising the treat to the environment from the junk of a consumerist society.

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

A committee headed by Kamleshwar was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:

  • Jury Members
    • Kamleshwar (Chairperson)Shanta Sarbjeet SinghVijay Sasnur

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)' and cash prize.

Name of AwardName of BookLanguageAwardee(s)Cash prize
Best Book on Cinema*Athmanindayude Pookal
(Flowers of Self-Condemnation)*MalayalamAuthor: Aravindan Vallachira
Publisher: V. R. Pushpakaran10,000/- Each
Citation: For critical analysis of M. T. Vasudevan Nair's film. The book is an in-depth study of the complexity of human values and the interaction between social institutions and the individual.
Best Film CriticGautam Kaul10,000/-
Citation: For the clarity and consistency with which he has written on a wide range of issues, creating a better understanding of cinema as a creative medium.

Awards not given

Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:

  • Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
  • Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
  • Best Feature Film in Manipuri
  • Best Feature Film in Marathi
  • Best Feature Film in Punjabi
  • Best Feature Film in English
  • Best Non-Feature Film Direction
  • Best Exploration / Adventure Film

References

References

  1. "39th National Film Awards". Directorate of Film Festivals.
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