The President,
Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam presented the 49th National
Film Awards to the winners of different categories at a function,
here today. The noted film-maker Shri Yash Chopra received the
Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2001. The Dada Saheb Phalke
Award, which was instituted in the year 1969, is given every
year to a film personality for outstanding contribution to the
growth and development of Indian cinema. The award consists
of a Swarna Kamal, a Shawl and cash prize of Rs. two lakhs.
In his address,
the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Ravi Shankar
Prasad said that Indian films have acquired their distinct identity
by depicting various trends in acting, art, music, songs, story
writing and several other creative forms and created an art
form of its own which reflects on the contemporary society.
He said Indian films show the vast diversity of our culture,
language, art and the ambevience. Through the National film
Awards we celebrate the achievements of Indian film industry,
which has a billion viewers, and have been acclaimed throughout
the world. Shri Prasad said that he would give top priority
to the film sector as they not only have great employment potential
but also generate huge revenue. They reflect the most vibrant
form of our contemporary society, he said.
The Secretary,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Pawan Chopra
said that Indian cinema has left an impact on the world cinema
and really gone to the world during the last year. Cinema is
an art form, which has earned great respect, he said.
The Best Feature
Film Award for the year 2001 was given to Kannada film "Dweepa".
The award carries a Swarna Kamal and Rs. 50,000/- each for Producer
and Director of the film. Swarna Kamal and cash prize of Rs.40,000/-
each for Producer and Director for ‘Best Popular Film providing
wholesome entertainment’ was given to Hindi film "Lagaan".
Nargis Dutt Award for the Best Feature Film on National Integration
was presented to Kashmiri film "BUB". The award carries
Rajat Kamal and cash prize of Rs. 30,000/- each for Producer
and Director of the film. Indira Gandhi Award for the best first
film of a Director was given to Telugu film "Tiladaanam".
The Award for the best film on other social issues such as prohibition,
women and child welfare, anti-dowry, drug abuse, welfare of
the handicapped etc. was given to Hindi film "Chandni Bar".
The Award for the best direction was bagged by B.Lenin for his
Tamil film "Ooruku Nooruper". Best Actor Award was
given to Murali for his role in "Neythukaran" (Malayalam)
while the Award for Best Actress is shared by Tabu for her role
in "Chandini Bar" (Hindi) and Shobana in "Mitr-My
Friend" (English). The Award for the Best Child Artist
was given to Baby P.Shwetha for her role in Tamil film "Kutty".
The Award for the Best Male Playback Singer was given to Udit
Narayan and Best Female Playback Singer to Sadana Sargam. The
Special Jury Award was given to the film Diector Janaki Viswanathan
for her Tamil film "Kutty".
Films Division
of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was presented
four National Film Awards in the non-feature film section for
the year 2001. Films Division won four National Awards in 1996,
three in 1997, twelve in 1998 and nine in 2000.
