Rajkummar Rao, Riteish Deshmukh receive 61st National Film Award

President Pranab Mukherjee on May 3 gave away trophies to the winners of 61st National Film Awards including the Best Film for Anand Gandhi's 'Ship of Theseus' and most popular film to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directed 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra received a Swarna Kamal and Rs 2,00,000. (PTI)

President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Swarna Kamal Award for Best Film Critic to Indian Express' Alaka Sahani, at the 61st National Film Awards function in New Delhi on May 03, 2014. (Image courtesy: PIB)

President Pranab Mukherjee presents Best Directon award to Hansal Mehta for 'Shahid'. Hansal Mehta was given the award for the best director received 'Swarna Kamal' and Rs 250,000.
"I just tried to tell the story in the best way possible and when your attempts are recognised like this, it feels like a vindication. 'Shahid' was a challenging film and it was made at a time when the country is going through a deep polaristaion and at such times telling stories which address these issues directly is always a challenge," Hansal Mehta said after receiving the award. (PTI)

Rajkummar Rao, who bagged in the best actor award, got 'Rajat Kamal' and Rs 50,000. Rao, who played the slain activist, said "I met Shahid's family and they organised a small party for my win. They were equally happy like the way I am."
Pranab Mukherjee presents Best Actor award to Rajkummar Rao for his role in 'Shahid'. (PTI)

Rao shared the best actor trophy with Suraj Venjaramoodu for Malayalam film 'Perariyathavar'. The movie also won the award for being the Best Film on environment conservation.
Pranab Mukherjee presents Best male actor award (Shared) to Suraj Venjaramoodu. (PTI)

Actress Geetanjali Thapa was conferred the best actress trophy for her role in Hindi film 'Liar's Dice'. (PTI)

'Ship of Theseus's Egyptian actress Aida El-Kashef, who was not present, shared the best supporting actress award with Amruta Subhas for Marathi film 'Astu'. (PTI)

Saurabh Shukla won the best supporting actor for court-room drama 'Jolly LLB' which was also named the best Hindi film. "I am delighted to win the first national award of my career. National award has its own dignity and place. Unlike other awards, this one is not a commercial award. I didn't even know that my name was sent for it. It came to me as a soothing surprise," Saurabh Shukla said. (PTI)

'Yellow' (Marathi) and 'Na Bangaaru Talli' were given special mention by the jury. Ritiesh Deshmukh, the producer of the Marathi film, received the award. Riteish Deshmukh said, “My first National Award. This one is for My Father - He would have been proud and said with a smile, well done beta.”

Pranab Mukherjee presents Best Non-Feature film award to director Kamal Swaroop for his film 'Rangbhoomi'. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Best Choreography award to Ganesh Acharya for 'Havan Karenge' (Bhaag Mikha Bhaag). (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Best female playback singer award to Bela Shende. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Best male playback singer award to Rupankar. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Special Mention award to special child artist Gauri Gadgil for Marathi film 'Yellow'. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Special Mention award to special child artist Sanjana Rai for Marathi film 'Yellow'. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Best child artist (Shared) award to Somnath Avghade. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Best child artist (Shared) award to Sadhana during. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents a shawl to lyricist and author Gulzar as he honours him with Dadasaheb Phalke Award during the 61st National Film Awards 2013 function. (PTI)

Twitterati is all praises for the ace lyricist as they showered him with congratulatory messages.
Gulzar shows off his medal. (PTI)

Pranab Mukherjee presents Best book on cinema award to author Nandagopal for his book "'Cinema Ga Cinema''. (PTI)

Gulzar meets I&B Minister Manish Tewari as Meghna Gulzar, daughter of Gulzar looks on during the 61st National Film Awards 2013 function.(PTI)

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra seen here with his wife at the 61st National Film Awards 2013 function. (PTI)

Big winners! Rajkummar Rao poses with Geetanjali Thapa at the function. (PTI)