# 54th National Film Awards

The 54th National Film Awards, presented by Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in the year 2006.
Three different committees were instituted in order to judge the various entries for feature film, non-feature film and best writing on cinema sections; headed by National award winner director, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, for feature films and K. Bikram Singh along with Madhu Jain for Non-feature films and best writing on cinema sections, respectively.
Each chairperson announced the award on 10 June 2008 for their respective sections and award ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi with President of India, Pratibha Patil giving away the awards on 2 September 2008.

## Awards

Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema.

### Lifetime Achievement Award

| Name of Award | Image | Awardee(s) | Awarded As | Awards |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | | Tapan Sinha | Director | Swarna Kamal, ₹ 10,00,000 and a shawl |
Along with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, another one special lifetime achievement award was also given to commemorate the 60th year of Indian Independence. Award was given to veteran actors, Dilip Kumar and B. Saroja Devi along with Lata Mangeshkar. Incidentally, Lata Mangeshkar and Dilip Kumar were already awarded with Dadasaheb Phalke Award for their contribution to Indian cinema at the 37th and 42nd National Film Awards respectively.
| Name of Award | Awardee(s) | Awarded As | Awards |
| Special Lifetime Achievement Award | Dilip Kumar | Actor | ₹ 10,00,000 and a shawl each |
| Special Lifetime Achievement Award | Lata Mangeshkar | Playback singer | ₹ 10,00,000 and a shawl each |
| Special Lifetime Achievement Award | B. Saroja Devi | Actress | ₹ 10,00,000 and a shawl each |

### Feature films

Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a feature film or featurette are eligible for Feature Film section.
Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 54th National Film Awards, a Malayalam film, Pulijanmam won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film; whereas a Konkani film, Antarnad along with a Hindi film, Lage Raho Munna Bhai and a Punjab film, Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris won the maximum number of awards (4). Following were the awards given in each category:

#### Juries

A committee headed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. Following were the jury members:
* Jury Members
** Buddhadeb Dasgupta (Chairperson) • Rahul Dholakia • P. Sheshadri • Ratnottama Sengupta • Sekhar Das • Siva Shankari
** Sharada Ramanathan • Hari Kumar • N. Krishna Kumar (Unni) • Himanshu Khatua • Meenakshi Shedde • Sharad Dutt • Ashok Rane

#### All India Award

Following were the awards given:

##### Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal
All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Feature Film | Pulijanmam | Malayalam | Producer: M. G. Vijay Director: Priyanandanan | ₹ 2,50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a layered film that uses metaphors to address global and local issues of contemporary society. ||||
| Best Debut Film of A Director | Eakantham | Malayalam | Producer: Anthony Joseph Director: Madhu Kaithapram | ₹ 62,500/- Each |
| ₹ 62,500/- Each |||
| Best Debut Film of A Director | Kabul Express | Hindi | Producer: Aditya Chopra Director: Kabir Khan | ₹ 62,500/- Each |
| ₹ 62,500/- Each |||
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Hindi | Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra Director: Rajkumar Hirani | ₹ 2,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For revalidating the philosophy of non-violence in a strife-torn world and helping rediscover the Gandhi within the common man. ||||
| Best Children's Film | Care of Footpath | Kannada | Producer: Shylaja Shrikanth Director: Kishan Shrikanth | ₹ 1,50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For articulating the burning desire for education in a slumdweller. The issue is particularly relevant, as the film is directed by a nine-year-old boy. ||||
| Best Animated Film | Kittu | Telugu | Producer: Bhargava Kodavanti Director: B. Sathya | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For film made with characters and concerns that reflect the Indian ethos in a format so far identified with the West. ||||
| Best Direction | Traffic Signal | Hindi | Madhur Bhandarkar | ₹ 2,50,000/- |
| Citation: For weaving in the lives, livelihoods and concerns of the street dwellers in a metro and the inspiring stand that makes the protagonist a role model across society. ||||

##### Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal
All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Feature Film on National Integration | Kallarali Hoovagi | Kannada | Producer: S. Madhu Bangarappa Director: T. S. Nagabharana | ₹ 1,50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For depicting the sanctity of loyalty to one's land and amity through a love story set in the times of Hyder Ali. ||||
| Best Film on Family Welfare | Karutha Pakshikal | Malayalam | Producer: Kaladharan K. V. and Vallabhan K. G. Director: Kamal | ₹ 75,000/- Each |
| ₹ 75,000/- Each |||
| Best Film on Family Welfare | Faltu | Bengali | Producer: Arindam Chaudhuri Director: Anjan Das | ₹ 75,000/- Each |
| ₹ 75,000/- Each |||
| Best Film on Other Social Issues | Hope | Telugu | Producer: Policherla Venkata Subbiah Director: Satish Kasetty | ₹ 1,50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For focusing on the need to re-examine the present-day education system that leads many young people to commit suicide. ||||
| Best Actor | Podokkhep | Bengali | Soumitra Chatterjee | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For etching the agonies and elations of an elderly person trying to keep peace with changing times. ||||
| Best Actress | Paruthiveeran | Tamil | Priyamani | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For portraying the ferocity of love in a firebrand village girl. ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | • Lage Raho Munna Bhai • Shevri | • Hindi • Marathi | Dilip Prabhavalkar | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For the sincere portrayal of a wide range of emotions of two divergent and equally challenging characters of Gandhi in Lage Raho Munna Bhai and a benign middle-class clerk in Shevri. ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Omkara | Hindi | Konkona Sen Sharma | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For the textured characterisation of a village woman trying to bring sanity in the violent lives of a political family in Uttar Pradesh. ||||
| Best Child Artist | Antarnad | Konkani | Divya Chaphadkar | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For evoking the complex emotions of a talented child overshadowed by a celebrity mother. ||||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris ("Couplets of Heer") | Punjabi | Gurdas Maan | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For building the entire narrative through his singing of Heer. ||||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Antarnad | Konkani | Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For the sonorous rendering that gives conviction to the central character of a classical vocalist. ||||
| Best Cinematography | Yatra | Hindi | Cameraman: Gautam Ghose Laboratory Processing: Rainbow Colour Lab | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For creating evocative moods and capturing the nuances of a feudal system changing to modern times. ||||
| Best Screenplay | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Hindi | • Abhijat Joshi • Rajkumar Hirani • Vidhu Vinod Chopra | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For the original vision with which Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence is given life in popular parlance. ||||
| Best Audiography | Omkara | Hindi | • Shajith Koyeri • Subhash Sahoo • K. J. Singh | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For the brilliant sound design that enhances the moods and emotions through different layers of sound in the film. ||||
| Best Editing | Paruthiveeran | Tamil | Raja Mohammad | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For innovative editing that enhanced the director's vision to fashion a powerful film. ||||
| Best Art Direction | Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris | Punjabi | Rashid Rangrez | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For the authentic recreation of a historic and culturally rich era. ||||
| Best Costume Design | Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris | Punjabi | Manjeet Maan | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For accurate and convincing costumes, reflecting the socio-cultural fabric of a historic era. ||||
| Best Make-up Artist | Traffic Signal | Hindi | Anil Motiram Palande | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For subtle and convincing make-up for a wide range of characters. ||||
| Best Music Direction | Antarnad | Konkani | Ashok Patki | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For a judicious range of music from the classical to pop, elevating the film. ||||
| Best Lyrics | Lage Raho Munna Bhai ("Bande Mein Tha Dum") | Hindi | Swanand Kirkire | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For rousing words that lyrically combine tradition with modernity to reach the masses. ||||
| Best Special Effects | Krrish | Hindi | EFX, Chennai | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For impressive effects and technical finesse that enhances the magical quality of the film. ||||
| Best Choreography | Rathri Mazha | Malayalam | • Madhu Samudra • Sajeev Samudra | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For choreography that displays modern and innovative aesthetics in rhythm and movement. ||||
| Special Jury Award | Omkara | Hindi | Vishal Bhardwaj (Director) | ₹ 1,25,000/- |
| Citation: For an outstanding film that synergises international treatment with an earthy, rooted sensibility. ||||
| Special Mention | Eakantham | Malayalam | Thilakan (Actor) | Certificate Only |
| Certificate Only |||
| Special Mention | Dosar | Bengali | Prosenjit Chatterjee (Actor) | Certificate Only |
| Certificate Only |||

#### Regional Awards

The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Feature Film in Assamese | Aaideu | Producer: Nabomika Borthakur Director: Arup Manna | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For highlighting a lesser known, pioneering heroine of Indian cinema. |||
| Best Feature Film in Bengali | Anuranan | Producer: Jeet Banerjee, Indrani Mukerjee, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| ₹ 50,000/- Each ||
| Best Feature Film in Bengali | Podokkhep | Producer: Nitesh Sharma Director: Suman Ghosh | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| ₹ 50,000/- Each ||
| Best Feature Film in Hindi | Khosla Ka Ghosla | Producer: Savita Raj Hiremath Director: Dibakar Banerjee | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For an original portraying the middle class struggle against the real estate mafia. |||
| Best Feature Film in Kannada | Kaada Beladingalu | Producer: K. M. Veeresh, K. N. Siddalingaiah and B. S. Lingadevaru Director: B. S. Lingadevaru | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For highlighting the impact of youth migration and media opportunism on the older generation. |||
| Best Feature Film in Konkani | Antarnad | Producer: Rajendra Talak Creations Director: Rajendra Talak | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a sensitive portrayal of an artist and her conflicting relationship with her daughter. |||
| Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Drishtantham | Producer: M. P. Sukumaran Nair Director: M. P. Sukumaran Nair | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a powerful tribute to the co modification of ancient tradition. |||
| Best Feature Film in Marathi | Shevri | Producer: Neena Kulkarni Director: Gajendra Ahire | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For an empathetic portrayal of the struggles of middle class married woman estranged from her family. |||
| Best Feature Film in Odia | Puja Pain Phulatie | Producer: Padmini Puty Director: Gadadhar Puty | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For an emotional portrayal of the bonding and generosity of children. |||
| Best Feature Film in Punjabi | Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris | Producer: Sai Productions Director: Manoj Punj | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For an evocative portrayal of the rich, musical Sufi tradition. |||
| Best Feature Film in Tamil | Veyil | Producer: S. Shankar Director: Vasanthabalan | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a moving portrayal of sibling bonding in a turbulent family. |||
| Best Feature Film in Telugu | Kamli | Producer: B. C. Hari Charana Prasad and P. V. Sukanya Director: K. N. T. Sastry | ₹ 1.00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a convincing portrayal of the courage of a disadvantaged woman in her fight against female foeticide and child swapping. |||
Best Feature Film in Each of the Language Other Than Those Specified In the Schedule VIII of the Constitution
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Feature Film in English | Quest | Producer: Amol Palekar Director: Amol Palekar | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a bold film addressing issues of sexuality. |||
| Best Feature Film in Tulu | Koti Channaya | Producer: R. Dhanaraj Director: Anand P. Raj | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For promoting caste reform and integration. |||

### Non-Feature Films

Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format and released on either film format or video/digital but certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a documentary/newsreel/fiction are eligible for non-feature film section.

#### Juries

A committee headed by K. Bikram Singh was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:
* Jury Members
** K. Bikram Singh (Chairperson) • Arvind Sinha • Apurba Sarma • Biyot Projna Tripathi • Satheesh Venganoor • Iftikhar Ahmed

#### Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal
All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Non-Feature Film | Bishar Blues | English | Producer: Amitabh Chakraborty Director: Amitabh Chakraborty | ₹ 1,00,000/- Each |
| Citation: For courageously treating a sensitive subject in a poetic form. It demolishes the myth that the practice of Islam is monolithic and not multifaceted. ||||
| Best Non-Feature Film Direction | Ek Aadesh - Command For Choti | Hindi | Ramesh Asher | ₹ 1,00,000/- |
| Citation: For making imaginative use of the locale and cast of characters, and for displaying complete command over all disciplines of film making. ||||

#### Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal
All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)' and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best First Non-Feature Film | Andhiyum | Malayalam | Producer: N. Dinesh Rajkumar Director: Jacob Varghese | ₹ 75,000/- Each |
| Citation: For displaying command over the medium that goes far beyond the level expected from a first film. ||||
| Best Biographical Film | Minukku | Malayalam | Producer: Devadasan Kizhapat and Bina Narayanan Director: M. R. Rajan | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| ₹ 50,000/- Each |||
| Best Biographical Film | Guru Laimayum Thambalngoubi Devi | Meitei | Producer: Aribam Syam Sharma Director: Aribam Syam Sharma | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| ₹ 50,000/- Each |||
| Best Arts / Cultural Film | Jatra Jeevan Jeevan Jatra | English | Producer: Kailash Chandra Bhuyan Director: Kapilas Bhuyan | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For creatively presenting the transformation of Oriya Jatra from a folk form to a highly commercialised and mainstream form. ||||
| Best Scientific Film / Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation (Jointly given) | Kalpavriksha - Legacy Of Forests | English | Producer: Mike Pandey Director: Nina Subramani | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For bringing out the symbiotic relationship between forests and human life and underlining the need for conserving the rich bio diversity still existing in our remaining forests. ||||
| Best Promotional Film | Rendezvous With Time | English | Producer: Madhya Pradesh Madhyam Director: Rajendra Janglay | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For sensitively evoking the spirit of the cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh. ||||
| Best Agriculture Film | Jaivik Kheti | Hindi | Producer: Mr. Ravindra Alias Nitin Prabhakar Bhosale and Mrs. Mrunalini Ravindra Bhosale Director: Mrunalini Ravindra Bhosale | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its direct and convincing approach to the need and methods of organic farming. ||||
| Best Film on Social Issues | Children Of Nomads | Hindi | Producer: Leoarts Communication Director: Meenakshi Vinay Rai | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For gently drawing attention to the deprivation experienced by the children of nomads and for creating sensitive interaction between an urban child and a group of nomadic rural children. ||||
| Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film | Filariasis | English | Producer: A. S. Nagaraju Director: M. Elango | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a straight forward and matter-of-fact treatment of a major health problem that has no cure but that can be controlled. ||||
| Best Investigative Film | Mere Desh Ki Dharti | Hindi | Producer: Rajiv Mehrotra Director: Sumit Khanna | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For exploring in depth the problem of falling agro-production and poisoning of the food chain due to use of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. ||||
| Best Animation Film | Nokpokliba | English | Producer: Children's Film Society, India Director: Meren Imchen | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For relating a beautiful folk tale from Nagaland in lyrical colours and fluid animation. ||||
| Best Short Fiction Film | Ek Aadesh - Command For Choti | Hindi | Producer: Children's Film Society, India Director: Ramesh Asher | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For sensitively bringing out the moral dilemma created by existence at a subsistence level in a hostile environment. ||||
| Best Cinematography | Raga Of River Narmada | Music Only | Cameraman: Rajendra Janglay and Sanjay V. | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For stretching the technical possibilities of videography and capturing the varying moods of river Narmada. ||||
| Best Audiography | Bishar Blues | Bengali | Partha Barman | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For creating a sound track by combining location sound, ambience sound and music that enhance the "meaning" of the film. ||||
| Best Editing | Bishar Blues | Bengali | Amitabh Chakraborty and Amit Debnath | ₹ 25,000/- Each |
| Citation: For creating a rhythm which is unhurried and profound and that is in tune with the life and world view of Fakirs in rural Bengal. ||||
| Best Music Direction | Raga Of River Narmada | Music Only | Ramakant and Umakant Gundecha | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For creating a music score which becomes an invocation of the spirit of the holy river Narmada. ||||
| Best Narration / Voice Over | Minukku | Malayalam | Nedumudi Venu | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For the unique style of first person narration, the quality of narrator’s voice and the selective use of narration that advances the story of the film. ||||
| Special Jury Award | Lama Dances Of Sikkim | English | • Anuradha Mookerjee (Producer) • Manash Bhowmick (Director) | ₹ 25,000/- Each |
| Citation: For presenting the ritualistic significance and the colourful nature of the Lama mask dances in cinematic language. ||||
| Special Mention | Special Children | English | • Kuldip Sinha (Producer) • Suresh Menon (Director) | Certificate Only |
| Citation: For highlighting the problems faced by special children or differently abled children and their families-an aspect of our society that is still not receiving adequate attention. ||||

### Best Writing on Cinema

The awards aim at encouraging study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of this art-form through publication of books, articles, reviews etc.

#### Juries

A committee headed by Madhu Jain was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:
* Jury Members
** Madhu Jain (Chairperson) • Rashmi Doraiswamy • Vasiraju Prakasam

#### Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal
All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)' and cash prize.
| Name of Award | Name of Book | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Book on Cinema | Helen: The Life and Times of an H-Bomb | English | Publisher: Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd. Author: Jerry Pinto | ₹ 75,000/- Each |
| Citation: For an insightful and witty account of a marginal yet iconic persona of the Hindi cinema. ||||
| Best Film Critic | | Malayalam | G. P. Ramachandran | ₹ 37,500/- Each |
| ₹ 37,500/- Each |||
| Best Film Critic | | English | Rafique A. R. Baghdadi | ₹ 37,500/- Each |
| ₹ 37,500/- Each |||

#### Special Mention

All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit.
| Name of Award | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Special Mention (Film Critic) | Assamese | Utpal Datta | Certificate Only |
| Citation: For his sensitive interpretation of films and trends in cinema. ||||

### Awards not given

Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:
* Best Feature Film in Manipuri
* Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film
* Best Exploration / Adventure Film
* Best Non-Feature Film on Family Welfare
* Best Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film