In a turnaround from last year, regional cinema talent dominated Bollywood presence in the winners' list of the 64th National Film Awards announced here on Friday.
Only one top honour -- Best Actor -- went to Akshay Kumar for Hindi movie "Rustom", leaving much of Bollywood wondering why movies like "Dangal" and "Aligarh" were left out.
The Best Hindi film award went to "Neerja".
"Bollywood films have not lost, but the regional cinema has excelled," the feature films' jury chairperson Priyadarshan told IANS here.
"'Dangal' missed out because of the powerful regional films. It's not because of anything else. Some of the Marathi and Bengali films were brilliant and better," he added.
Perhaps the discretion was similar for Hansal Mehta's "Aligarh", which made a pertinent point on LGBT rights. Mehta expressed disappointment.
#NationalFilmAwards : Best Actor for Rustom,countless emotions,very hard to express my gratitude right now but still tried,a big THANK YOU🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Wo7mfi6dI8
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 7, 2017
The six industries of the south -- Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu and Konkani -- bagged a total of 18 awards, while movies from Assam, Bengal, Maharashtra and Manipur also won in different categories.
Marathi film "Kasaav" was named the Best Feature Film; filmmaker Rajesh Mapuskar was named as the Best Director for "Ventilator" -- a Marathi production by Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra; and the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Award was given to Telugu film "Sathamanam Bhavathi".
The Best Film on Social Issues was given to Bollywood film "Pink", while Nagesh Kukunoor's Hindi movie "Dhanak" won the Best Children's Film.
Malayalam actress Surabhi C.M. was announced the Best Actress for "Minnaminungu - the Firefly", and she was ecstatic upon hearing the news.
Akshay was humbled by his first National Film Award, and dedicated his win to his family and wife, who said she is going through mixed emotions.
I don't know if I am crying or laughing-emotions all over the place-So proud of you @akshaykumar you smart, humble, amazing creature! https://t.co/K0YRx2WBtI
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) April 7, 2017
Priyadarshan said Akshay and Mohanlal were the main two contenders for the Best Actor honour, but Mohanlal was instead chosen for a Special Jury Award for his performance in three films.
The Supporting Actors category saw Kashmiri girl Zaira Wasim and Manoj Joshi winning for their performances in "Dangal" and "Dashakriya" respectively.
There were special mentions for films "Kadvi Hawa" and "Mukti Bhawan" as well as for actors Sonam Kapoor for "Neerja" and Adil Hussain for "Mukti Bhawan" and "Maj Rati Keteki".
Sonam said the honour was unexpected but overwhelming, and she was also upbeat because "Neerja" -- a real life inspired tale of an airhostess who gave up her life to save passengers aboard a hijacked flight at Karachi -- was named the Best Hindi film.
Other key awards included: Best Special Effects for "Shivaay" (Naveen Paul), Best Animation Film for "Mahayoddha Rama", Best Film on Environment Conservation/ Preservation for Manipuri movie "Loktak Lairembee", Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for Assamese movie "Dikchow Banat Palaax"; and Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director went to Deep Choudhury for Bengali film "Alifa".
A new award has been constituted for Best Action Director (Stunt Choreography), which went to Peter Hein for Malayalam film "Pulimurugam".
Last year, an award for the Most Film Friendly State was introduced and Gujarat had won the honour. This time, Uttar Pradesh has won for implementing film policies which include various measures to create a suitable environment for film production. A special mention in the same category was given to Jharkhand.
The awards were also announced for the non-feature film category and for best writing on cinema.
Here's the complete list of winners of the 64th National Film Awards:
Best Feature Film:
Kasav (Marathi)
Best Debut Film of A Director:
Khalifa (Bengali)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment:
Sathamanam Bhavati (Telugu)
Best Children's Film:
Dhanak (Hindi)
Best Direction:
Rajesh Mapuskar For Ventilator
Best Actor: Akshay Kumar For Rustom
Best Actress: Surabhi Lakshmi For Minnaminunge
Best Supporting Actor:
Manoj Joshi For Dashkriya
Best Supporting Actress:
Zaira Wasim For Dangal
Best Child Artist:
Manohara For Railway Children
Best Male Playback Singer:
Sundara Iyer For Joker
Best Female Playback Singer:
Emaan Chakraborty For Praktan
Best Cinematography:
Tirru
Best Screenplay (Original):
Syam Pushkaran For Maheshinte Prathikaaram
Best Screenplay (Adapted):
Sanjay Krishnaji Patel For Dashakriya
Best Film on Other Social Issues:
Pink
Best Film on Environment/Conservation/Preservation:
The Tiger Who Crossed The Line
Best Editing: Rameshwar S. Bhagat For Ventilator
Best Art Direction:24
Best Costume Design:
Sachin
Best Music Direction (Songs):
Bapu Padmanabha/Bapu Flute Allama
Best Lyrics: Vairamuthu For Dharma Durai song Vantha Entha Pakkam
Best Special Effects:
Shivaay
Regional Awards
Best Bengali Film:
Bisarjan
Best Gujarati Film:
Wrong Side Raju
Best Hindi Film:
Neerja
Best Kannada Film:
Reservation
Best Malayalam Film:
Maheshinte Prathikaaram
Best Marathi Film:
Dashakriya
Best Tamil Film:
Joker
Best Telugu Film:
Pelli Choopulu
