Abar Aranye, Munna Bhai get National

For two years in a row the decision of the National Film Jury has been free of controversial decisions. In sheer deference to the past, the 51st National Film Awards announced today turned out to be a quiet affair with the jury deciding in favour of filmmaker Gautam Ghose as best director for Abar Aranye. The film also fetched him an award for the Best Screenplay.

Marathi film Shwaas was adjudged the best feature film, while Munna Bhai MBBS won the award for wholesome entertainment, even as Koi Mil Gaya grabbed three awards including one for the best film on social issues. Chandraprakash Dwivedi’s Pinjar won the Nargis Dutt award for best film on national integration, with actor Manoj Bajpai getting a special jury award for his role as the tormented abductor ‘‘Rashid’’ in the Partition saga. While Maqbool was the favourite in the international film circuit, the Indian jury decided to give the Best Supporting Actor Award to Pankaj Kapoor.

Pamela Rooks’ Dance Like A Man (starring actor Arif Zachariah) was judged the Best English Film. Tamil actor Vikram was adjudged the best actor for his role in Pithamagam, while Malayalam film actress Meera Jasmine won the best actress award for her role in Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam.

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Veteran star Sharmila Tagore bagged the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in Abar Aranye.

Chokher Bali walked away with three awards including the best feature film in Bengali, Best Art Direction and Best costume design.