The Sangeet Natak Akadami awards for best film (direction) and best film (acting) are presented to Satyajit Ray and Ashok Kumar, respectively.
A cash prize of Rs 25,000 is offered by the Maharashtra government to the best feature film on the subject of untouchability produced in Bombay during 1958-59, preferably in Hindi.
The President’s Gold Medal for the best feature film in 1958 is awarded to Sagar Sangame (Bengali), directed by Devki Bose.
The President’s Gold Medal for best documentary goes to the Films Division’s Radha Krishna. The film also receives three International Awards as well: the Silver Bear at Berlin, the Golden Gate for best art film at San Francisco and the first prize for the best art documentary at Santiago.
Federation of Film Society of India — enjoining all the film societies and clubs in the country — is formed on December 13, 1959 with Satyajit Ray as president and Indira Gandhi as vice-president.
Satyajit Ray’s Jalsaghar is awarded the silvermedal for music at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Three blockbusters are released in the same week in Bombay — K A Abbas’ Char Dil Char Raahen, Devendra Goel’s Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan and V Shantaram’s Navrang (along side Nanabhai Bhatt’s Kangan). Goel is advised not to set his film up in competition against two big banners but he goes ahead. Nanabhai Bhatt (father of Mahesh Bhatt) agrees with Goel and argues that his Kangan is a pulp film that will stand on its own. It turns out that both of them are right. Char Dil Char Rahen flops, Sandhya barely breaks even while Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan vindicates Goel’s judgement. It also catapults Meena Kumari to a new emotional peak with her portrayal of Sharda. Goel’s film also signals the arrival, alongside Shammi Kapoor, of a `parallel superstar’ in Rajendra Kumar. Aided by the magic of Bismillah Khan’s flute, as captured by master composer Vasant Desai in `Goonj Uthi Shehnai’, Kumar soon emerges as `Jubilee Kumar’. Such is the superstar’s swaythat he is soon giving producers dates four years from the day he signs a film!
Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anari confirms Raj Kapoor’s box-office rating as the eternal tramp.
Chhoti Bahen puts the permanent rakhi round Nanda’s neck!
Sujata gives an indication of Nutan’s talent. In Bimal Roy’s Bandini, she reaches the zenith of her emotive skill. This year, Nutan also marries Rajneesh Bahl
Heera Moti sees Krishan Chopra give a new screen dimension to Premchand’s novel Do Bailon Ki Katha.
Yash Chopra makes a smash entry into the directorial circles with Dhool Ka Phool, a film that wins Mala Sinha all oomph so far dramatic star status.
But the pick of all films this year is Guru Dutt’s dream project Kagaz Ke Phool starring Waheeda Rahman and Mala Sinha along with the producer-director himself. The fate of Guru Dutt studios hangs in mortgage balance as the maker has put all his resources, mental and material, into this venture. With the failure of the film, Guru Dutt liveshis on-screen persona of frustrated film maker in real life. His film is acknowledged a classic after Dutt’s demise.
Stars of the Year
Raj Kapoor (Anari, Char Dil Char Raahein)
Guru Dutt (Kaagaz Ke Phool)
Rajendra Kumar (Dhool Ka Phool)
Shammi Kapoor (Dil Deke Dekho)
Dilip Kumar (Paigam)
Sunil Dutt (Sujata)
Balraj Sahani (Chooti Bahen)
Nutan (Anari, Sujata)
Waheeda Rehman (Kaagaz Ke Phool)
Mala Sinha (Dhool Ka Phool)
Meena Kumari (Char Dil Char Raahein)
Nanda (Chooti Bahen)
Asha Parekh (Dil Deke Dekho).
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