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51st National Film Awards

Film awards in India


Film awards in India

FieldValue
number51
awardNational Film Awards
caption51st National Film Awards
awarded_forBest of Indian cinema in 2003
award_orgDirectorate of Film Festivals
presenting_orgDr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
(President of India)
announced_date
presented_date
websitedff.nic.in
lifetime_achievementMrinal Sen
best_featureShwaas
best_non_featureWar and Peace
Kaya Poochhe Maya Se
best_bookFilmi Jagat Mein Ardhashakti Ka Romanch
best_criticSaibal Chatterjee
most_winsBhalo Theko
Chokher Bali
Abar Aranye
Koi... Mil Gaya (3)
last50th
next52nd

(President of India) Kaya Poochhe Maya Se Chokher Bali Abar Aranye Koi... Mil Gaya (3)

The 51st National Film Awards, presented by the Directorate of Film Festivals, is the organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in the year 2003.

Awards were announced by the committee headed by Basu Chatterjee, Bhimsain and K. N. T. Sastry for the feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema, respectively, on 14 August 2004; whereas award ceremony took place on 3 February 2005 and the awards were given away by then President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

With the 51st National Film Awards, new category for Non-feature Film for Best Narration / Voice Over was introduced and awarded with 'Rajat Kamal (Silver 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:Mrinal-sen.jpg75px]]url=http://dff.nic.in/PhalkeAward.aspxtitle=Dadasaheb Phalke Award Past Recipientspublisher=Directorate of Film Festivalsaccess-date=3 September 2020archive-date=18 July 2020archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718171203/http://dff.nic.in/PhalkeAward.aspxurl-status=live}}directorSwarna Kamal, and a Shawl

Feature films

Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 51st National Film Awards, a Marathi film, Shwaas won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film; whereas three Bengali films, Abar Aranye, Bhalo Theko and Chokher Bali, along with a Hindi film, Koi... Mil Gaya won the maximum number of awards (3). Following were the awards given in each category:

Juries

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

  • Jury Members
    • Basu Chatterjee (Chairperson)Vijaya NirmalaN. Krishnakumar (Unni)SumalathaK. B. TilakShailaja BajpaiVirendra Saini
    • Madhu JainRashmi DoraiswamyGayatri ChatterjeeRaj DattMakhonmani MongsabaSher ChoudharyMohan Kondajji
    • Alaya Kumar MohantyJyoti SarupNimmala Shankar

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 FilmShwaasMarathiProducer: Arun Nalawade
director: Sandeep Sawant50,000/- Each
Citation: For its sensitive and moving portrayal of the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson when the child is about to lose his vision.
Best Debut Film of a DirectorMargamMalayalamProducer: Rajiv Vijay Raghavan
Director: Rajiv Vijay Raghavan25,000/- Each
Citation: For poignantly capturing the troubled journey of a middle-aged individual re-examining his political past in the light of prevailing socio-political values.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentMunna Bhai M.B.B.S.HindiProducer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Director: Rajkumar Hirani40,000/- Each
Citation: For dealing with social issues with humor and compassion.
Best Children's FilmToraAssameseProducer: Children's Film Society
Director: Jahnu Barua30,000/- Each
Citation: For showing how a child brings down the boundaries and barriers created by adults.
Best DirectionAbar AranyeBengaliGautam Ghose50,000/-
Citation: For his complex weaving of human destines across a wide range of socio-political and cinematic histories.
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
Best Feature Film on National IntegrationPinjarHindiProducer: Lucky Star Entertainment Ltd
Director: Chandraprakash Dwivedi30,000/- Each
Citation: For exploring the power of human relationships in overcoming social and religious schisms.
Best Film on Family WelfarePaadam Onnu: Oru VilapamMalayalamProducer: Aryadan Shaukat
Director: T. V. Chandran30,000/- Each
Citation: For raising a voice against early marriage and for its advocacy of women's education in a conservative society.
Best Film on Other Social IssuesKoi... Mil GayaHindiProducer: Rakesh Roshan
Director: Rakesh Roshan30,000/- Each
Citation: For its compassionate portrayal of a mentally challenged young man who is able to reach out to the wonders of the universe.
GangaajalHindiProducer: Prakash Jha
Director: Prakash Jha
Citation: For its stark delineation of a wide range of wrongs pervading society, and state.
Best Film on Environment / Conservation / PreservationJuye Poora XoonAssameseProducer: Sanjib Sabhapandit
Director: Sanjib Sabhapandit30,000/- Each
Citation: For its representation of large-scale migration and the erosion of a way of life by floods and industrialisation.
Best ActorPithamaganTamilVikram10,000/-
Citation: For his powerful performance in a difficult and demanding role.
Best ActressPaadam Onnu: Oru VilapamMalayalamMeera Jasmine10,000/-
Citation: For her sustained and subtle portrayal of a young girl trapped in an early, polyandrous marriage and her ability to convey her little joys and large sorrows.
Best Supporting ActorMaqboolHindiPankaj Kapoor10,000/-
Citation: For his riveting yet understated performance as a mafia don.
Best Supporting ActressAbar AranyeBengaliSharmila Tagore10,000/-
Citation: For the grace with which she handles social and personal relationships.
Best Child ArtistShwaasMarathiAshwin Chitale5,000/- Each
Citation: For his haunting performance as a child who realises he is going to lose his eyesight.
Ente Veedu AppoontemMalayalamKalidasan
Citation: For his versatility in portraying a range of complex emotions.
Best Male Playback SingerKal Ho Naa Ho
("Kal Ho Naa Ho")HindiSonu Nigam10,000/-
Citation: For his memorable rendition of the title song that captures the spirit of the film.
Best Female Playback SingerAkashitorar KothareAssameseTarali Sarma10,000/-
Citation: For her tuneful rendition of a devotional song without instrumental accompaniment.
Best CinematographyBhalo ThekoBengaliCameraman: Abhik Mukhopadhyay
Laboratory Processing: Rainbow Color Lab10,000/- Each
Citation: For enriching the narrative with tranquility and beauty.
Best ScreenplayAbar AranyeBengaliGautam Ghose10,000/-
Citation: For weaving together the strands of time creating a resonant dialogue between the past and the present.
Best AudiographyBhalo ThekoBengaliAnup Mukhopadhyay
Deepon Chatterjee10,000/-
Citation: For the innovative use of sound, its quality and timbre.
Best EditingSamay: When Time StrikesHindiAarif Sheikh10,000/-
Citation: For its crisp cutting that successfully sustains the tempo of the film's suspense.
Best Art DirectionChokher BaliBengaliIndranil Ghosh5,000/- Each
Citation: For his muted recreation of a period and its ambiance.
Meenaxi: A Tale of Three CitiesHindiSharmishta Roy
Citation: For creating a colourful ambiance which effectively supported the narrative.
Best Costume DesignChokher BaliBengaliBibi Ray
Sushanto Pal10,000/-
Citation: For evoking a period in harmony with the spirit of the film's art direction.
Best Music DirectionKal Ho Naa HoHindiShankar–Ehsaan–Loy10,000/-
Citation: For its wide range of styles and modes, enriching the themes of the film.
Best LyricsTagore
("Nenusaitham")TeluguSuddala Ashok Teja10,000/-
Citation: For relating Sri Sri's poem to contemporary times in order to awaken the masses against social evils.
Best Special EffectsKoi... Mil GayaHindiCreator Bimmini Special Fx and Design Studios – James Colmer and Lara Denman
Digital Art Media – Marc Kolbe and Craig Mumma10,000/-
Citation: For its apt incorporation of special effects in its depiction of fantasy.
Best ChoreographyKoi... Mil Gaya
("Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala")HindiFarah Khan10,000/-
Citation: For its seamless weaving of different dance styles, in the best traditions of the musical.
Special Jury AwardPinjarHindiManoj Bajpai (Actor)12,500/-
Citation: For his portrayal of the dilemma of a man caught between the dictates of his community and his love for his wife.
Bhalo ThekoBengaliRoopkatha (Producer)
Goutam Halder (director)6,250/- Each
Citation: For its quiet but masterful foray into the new cinematic idioms.
Special MentionMouniKannadaH. G. Dattatreya (Actor)Certificate Only
Citation: For his tremendous screen presence that makes the film.
MalayalamNedumudi Venu (Actor)
Citation: For his extra ordinary versatility in a range of roles in Malayalam films made in 2003.

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 AssameseAkashitarar KathareProducer: Sangeeta Tamuli
Director: Manju Borah20,000/- Each
Citation: For its juxtaposition of a woman's search for her cultural heritage and its loss.
Best Feature Film in BengaliChokher BaliProducer: Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni
Director: Rituparno Ghosh20,000/- Each
Citation: For its operatic play of passions, breaking social norms and taboos.
Best Feature Film in HindiRaghu RomeoProducer: NFDC
Director: Rajat Kapoor20,000/- Each
Citation: For a zestful spoof of popular culture where the boundaries of illusion and reality collapse and the common man turns into hero.
Best Feature Film in KannadaPreethi Prema PranayaProducer: Kavitha Lankesh
Director: Kavitha Lankesh20,000/- Each
Citation: For depicting the contrasting values of three generations in a light hearted manner.
Best Feature Film in MalayalamSaphalamProducer: Anil Thomas
Director: Asok R. Nath20,000/- Each
Citation: For its sensitive portrayal of an old couple in their loneliness and togetherness.
Best Feature Film in MarathiNot Only Mrs. RautProducer: Aditi Deshpande
Director: Gajendra Ahire20,000/- Each
Citation: For its treatment of two women's struggle against male exploitation and domination.
Best Feature Film in OdiaAw Aaakare AaProducer: Subash Das
Director: Subash Das20,000/- Each
Citation: For a passionate call for reforms in the present education system.
Best Feature Film in TamilIyarkaiProducer: V. R. Kumar
Director: S. P. Jananathan20,000/- Each
Citation: For a rich visual portrayal of a love story set against a unique canvas.
Best Feature Film in TeluguAitheProducer: Gangaraju Gunnam
Director: Chandra Sekhar Yeleti20,000/- Each
Citation: For its portrayal of frustration in the youth, successfully solving it through a positive approach almost making the characters role models.

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

Name of AwardName of FilmAwardee(s)Cash prize
Best Feature Film in EnglishDance Like A ManProducer: NFDC
Director: Pamela Rooks20,000/- Each
Citation: For a human drama that engages issues of creativity and gender dynamics.

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

  • Jury Members
    • Bhim Sen (Chairperson)Jose SebastianSatyabrata KalitaHaimanti BanerjeeRajiv KhandagleN. S. ShankarAnwar Jamal

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 FilmWar and PeaceEnglishProducer: Anand Patwardhan
Director: Anand Patwardhan10,000/- Each
Citation: For setting out to search for the roots of violence manifest in many forms in the current times- from communal forces to nuclear race, Shot in India, Pakistan, Japan and USA, the film achieves a multi-layered understanding of these deep rooted tensions- at the same time recording the aspirations for peace, harmony and secularism, in the backdrop of Gandhian thought.
Kaya Poochhe Maya SeHindiProducer: Arvind Sinha
Director: Arvind Sinha
Citation: For a probing, thoughtful, intense, yet a non-judgmental record of the myriad faces of humanity floating around the Howrah Station that lies by the side of the river Ganga. The director with just his keen eye and an unpredictable symmetry of images, gains an inner eye into the mystery called people. It is as though an entire civilisation is reconstructed through images of floating faces, people and sounds.
Best Non-Feature Film DirectionKaya Poochhe Maya SeHindiArvind Sinha10,000/- Each
Citation: For the teeming surge of humanity in Howrah station with compassion and warmth.

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 FilmAn Encounter with a Life LivingHindi and EnglishProducer: Vinu Abraham
Director: Suja10,000/- Each
Citation: For depicting the plight of a physically incapacitated Sarasu and her cheerful will to live. The director achieves this bringing out the totality, spiritual richness of a "life lived only in the mind" – through an innovative narrative idiom.
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic FilmAur Ghumantu Thhahar GayeHindiProducer: Leo Arts Communication
Director: Meenakshi Vinay Rai10,000/- Each
Citation: For records the life of the nomadic tribe Ghumantu and their peculiar plight of being labelled "habitual offenders". It also records the efforts made at rehabilitating them.
Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation FilmVaidyaratnam P.S. VarrierEnglishProducer: Kerala State Film Development Corporation
Director: T. Krishnan Unni10,000/- Each
Citation: For records the life of a pioneer in Ayurvedic medicine Dr. P.S. Varrier. The film also brings out his many faceted personality along with his contribution to performing arts and literature.
Best Arts / Cultural FilmPicasso MetamorphosesEnglishProducer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division
Director: Nandkumar Sadamate10,000/- Each
Citation: For its rare attempt at interpreting the works of the legendary painter making him accessible even to those uninitiated to his art. The film examines the troubled times that Picasso lived in, his ideals, his relationships and the inevitable symbiosis of his life and work.
Best Scientific Film / Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film (Jointly given)The 18 Elephant – Three MonologuesMalayalamProducer: Savithri Divakaran
Director: P. Balan10,000/- Each
Citation: For using the novel method of elephants narrating their own story (in human voice) to raise a cry against "man centric" concept of development. The film also succeeds in raising bigger issues of ecological balance, and cruelty to animals.
Best Promotional FilmLadakh – The Land Of MysteryEnglishProducer: Biyot Projna Tripathy
Director: Biyot Projna Tripathy10,000/- Each
Citation: For capturing the shining landscape, the people, their culture, beliefs and way of life in pleasing visuals.
Best Agricultural FilmSeeds Of LifeEnglishProducer: Rajiv Mehrotra
Director: Usha Albuquerque10,000/- Each
Citation: For its focus on "Navadanya" the movement launched to retrieve the traditional wisdom in alternative farming methods. The film's importance emerges in the face of the current globalisation-led agrarian uncertainties.
Best Film on Social IssuesWay Back HomeBengaliProducer:Rajasri Mukhopadhyay
Director: Supriyo Sen10,000/- Each
Citation: For its recounting of a remarkable journey to a homeland lost for ever, as a result of partition. A family driven out of East Pakistan during partition, undertakes a journey back after fifty years to their "homeland". The journey eventually turns into a story of painful memories, lost relationships and the madness of partition- all achieved through a touching personal narrative.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional FilmFiddlers on the ThatchEnglishProducer: Rajiv Mehrotra
Director: Trisha Das10,000/- Each
Citation: This film is the story of "The Gandhian Ashram School" in Kalimpong but it is also a story of the deprived kids gaining their dignity and hope of a teacher who fed their bodies and spirit – all bound by the common thread of music. The director achieves a poignant blend of visual narrative and music to create a heartwarming tale of "sharing and caring" in this film.
Best Exploration / Adventure FilmMadness in the DesertEnglishProducer: Aamir Khan
Director: Satyajit Bhatkal10,000/- Each
Citation: For explores the spirit, the effort and the mammoth ambition behind the making of "Lagaan". The director has rendered this into a gripping and slick tale.
Best Investigative FilmA Silent KillerEnglishProducer: Dhananjoy Mondal
Director: Dhananjoy Mondal10,000/- Each
Citation: The film is a forceful statement on the disastrous consequences of millions of people drinking water contaminated with "arsenic". In a simple but effective manner, the filmmaker explores and then brings out the enormity of the problem.
Best Animation FilmJeo Aur Jeene DoHindiProducer: Children's Film Society
Director: B. R. Sarnaik
Animator: Harshad Sayeed Noori10,000/- Each
Citation: In a humorous, colourful but effective way, the film conveys the message of wild life protection. The imaginative use of animation techniques enhances the appeal of the film, especially to children.
Best Short Fiction FilmSati RadhikaAssameseProducer: Anjali Das
Director: Anjali Das10,000/- Each
Citation: For a popular tale relating to the great 14th century reformer Shankara Deva who stood against caste inequality. The tale narrates an allegory wherein Sati Radhika a fisherwoman perform a miraculous feat, which others could not, thus bringing out the noble concept of social equality.
Best CinematographyKaya Poochhe Maya SeHindiCameraman: Ranjan Palit
Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratory5,000/- Each
Citation: For a cinematic observation of myriad shades of humanity and breathtaking chiaroscuro of light and shade.
The 18 Elephants – 3 MonologuesMalayalamCameraman: K. G. Jayan
Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratory
Citation: For his camera vision, which is a manifesto of exploring the reality, and transporting it to the surreal, to beyond the manifest.
Best AudiographyBhaba PaaglaBengaliRamesh Birajdar10,000/-
Citation: For sound design which evokes a vision of a world far, far away from the madding crowd, which oscillates between the silences and nature's pristine sounds.
Best EditingUnniMalayalamBeena Paul10,000/-
Citation: For the way she supports the eerie pace of a story that swings from here to beyond.
Best Music DirectionFiddlers on the ThatchEnglishJulius Packiam10,000/-
Citation: For creating an ambience of music that effectively works also as part of the main narrative.
Best Narration / Voice OverThe 18 Elephants – 3 MonologuesMalayalamBalachandran Chullikkadu10,000/- Each
Citation: For lending feel and depth to the agonies of elephants through his voice.
Special Jury AwardThe Lijjat SisterhoodEnglishKadhambari Chintamani (Director)
Ajit Oommen (director)2,500/- Each
Citation: For documenting the inspiring story of hundreds of women workers in the Lijjat papad making, selling and exporting. Through the first person interviews ranging from the oldest to the youngest, it is a vibrant narration of a unique experiment turned famously successful.
Ek AakashSilentSudhakar Reddy (Director)10,000/-
Citation: For starting off as a simple rivalry of two kids from different backgrounds – in kite flying, becomes a battle of one-upmanship. Both are led by their ego and aggressive instincts, but eventually reach a point when they need others help.
Special MentionMangali – An ExorcisionShilpi Dasgupta (Director)Certificate Only
Citation: For the thoughtful and laudable craft that shaped the film.
WaterEnglishAseem Bose (Cameraman)
Citation: For enhancing the impact of the film with his eloquent lens, that captures the spirit of the subject of the film.

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 K. N. T. Sastry was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:

  • Jury Members
    • K. N. T. Sastry (Chairperson)Kodalli ShivaramAruna Anant Damle

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 CinemaFilmi Jagat Mein Ardhashakti Ka RomanchHindiAuthor: Bharatiya Jnanpith
Publisher: Ramakrishna15,000/- Each
Citation: For a unique style of chronicling the flip side of film personality through his own biography. It gives an insight into the history of cinema and film journalism in a refreshingly different style
Best Film CriticSaibal Chatterjee15,000/-
Citation: For incisive, bold and realistic criticism of the film industry couched in a refreshing style of writing.

Special Mention

All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit.

Name of AwardName of BookLanguageAwardee(s)Cash prize
Special Mention (Book on Cinema)KathapurushBengaliAuthor: Deepankar MukhopadhyayCertificate Only
Citation: For a commendable revelation of the personality of the filmmaker (Mrinal Sen).
Chalanchitra NirdeshakaKannadaAuthor: P. N. Srinivas
Citation: For a unique presentation of the technicalities of film-making and international film personalities.
Special Mention (Film Critic)TeluguVasiraju Prakashan
Citation: For introducing film personalities of parallel cinema in the parched atmosphere of Telugu filmdom.

Awards not given

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

  • Best Feature Film in Manipuri
  • Best Feature Film in Punjabi
  • Best Biographical Film
  • Best Non-Feature Film on Family Welfare

References

References

  1. "51st National Film Awards". Directorate of Film Festivals.
  2. "51st National film Awards (Feature Films)". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.
  3. "President gives away 51st national film awards". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.
  4. "Dadasaheb Phalke Award Past Recipients". Directorate of Film Festivals.
  5. "Jury for 51st National Film Awards constituted". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.
  6. "51st National film Awards Non-Feature Film category announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.
  7. "51st National film Awards (Non-Feature Films)". [[Directorate of Film Festivals]].
  8. "51st National film Awards (Books)". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.
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