# 47th National Film Awards

The 47th 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 1999. Ceremony took place on 18 September 2000 and awards were given by then President of India, K. R. Narayanan.

## 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 | | Hrishikesh Mukherjee | director | Swarna Kamal, ₹ 100,000 and a Shawl |

### Feature films

Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 47th National Film Awards, a Malayalam film, Vanaprastham won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film; whereas a Hindi film, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam won the maximum number of awards (4). Following were the awards given in each category:

#### Juries

A committee headed by Gautam Ghose was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. Following were the jury members:
* Jury Members
** Gautam Ghose (Chairperson) • Kalpana Agarwal • Saeed Akhtar Mirza • Mohan Sharma • G. V. G. Raju • Gautami
** K. Ravindranathan Nair • Sreelekha Mukherji • T. S. Nagabharana • K. Janaki Ram • Leslie Carvalho • Moloya Goswami
** Arun Kaul • Ratnottama Sengupta • Sanjeev Bhargava • Ram Gopal Bajaj

#### 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 | Vanaprastham | Malayalam | Producer: Mohanlal Director: Shaji N. Karun | ₹ 50,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its multi layered treatment of issues like caste system, patronage to the arts, Guru Shishya Parampara, and the identity crisis of a performing artiste. ||||
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Dollar Dreams | English | Producer: Sekhar Kammula Director: Sekhar Kammula | ₹ 12,500/- Each |
| ₹ 12,500/- Each |||
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Laado | Haryanvi | Producer: Kumud Chaudhary Director: Ashwini Chaudhary | ₹ 12,500/- Each |
| ₹ 12,500/- Each |||
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Sarfarosh | Hindi | Producer: John Matthew Matthan Director: John Matthew Matthan | ₹ 40,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its engrossing projection of an honest officer, who fights engineered subversion which fuels suspicion and sours relationship between two communities. A bold subject for the debut film of a director in mainstream cinema. ||||
| Best Children's Film | Goal | Hindi | Producer: Children's Film Society Director: Gul Bahar Singh | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation: For stressing the sportsmanship of a small town coach who supports, without any bias, the raw talent of an underprivileged aspirant with no education and with a social stigma. ||||
| Best Direction | Uttara | Bengali | Buddhadeb Dasgupta | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Citation: For his skilful weaving together of different strands of life through metaphors, symbols and folk icons, to question the definition of humanity in our scoundrel times. ||||

##### 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 | Shaheed Udham Singh | Punjabi | Producer: Iqbal Dhillon Director: Chitraarth | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation: For opening a new window to the Jallianwala Bagh episode, which had jolted the conscience of the Indian people. ||||
| Best Film on Family Welfare | Hari-Bhari | Hindi | Producer: Government of India Director: Shyam Benegal | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation: For unfolding several aspects of family life in an Indian Town where awareness of women's health and upbringing of girl-child is enveloped in ignorance and blind belief. ||||
| Best Film on Other Social Issues | Kairee | Hindi | Producer: Government of India Director: Amol Palekar | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its charming portrayal of the need to give a secure future, through education, to the girl-child in the backwaters of the country. ||||
| Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation | Jalamarmaram | Malayalam | Producer: Latha Kurien Rajeev and Radhika Suresh Gopi Director: T. K. Rajeev Kumar | ₹ 30,000/- Each |
| Citation: For handling a theme of great concern in the increasingly polluted environs of our industrial towns and cities, through the imaginative touch of a fairly tale. ||||
| Best Actor | Vanaprastham | Malayalam | Mohanlal | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For his nuanced portrayal of the identity crisis experienced by a performing artiste who, in his personal life too, is torn between the denial of both, paternal identity and his own paternity rights. ||||
| Best Actress | Bariwali | Bengali | Kirron Kher | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For the range of emotions she brings into play in living the role of an ageing woman whose unfulfilled desires make her a game for emotional exploitation by a dream-merchant. ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | Hey Ram | Tamil | Atul Kulkarni | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For his serious performance as a cold blooded fundamentalist stalking the cities during the turbulent years of partition that led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Bariwali | Bengali | Sudipta Chakraborty | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| ₹ 10,000/- Each |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Paromitar Ek Din | Bengali | Sohini Haldar | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| ₹ 10,000/- Each |||
| Best Child Artist | Jalamarmaram | Malayalam | Aswin Thampy | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For playing the innocent faith of a child in the existence of a mermaid, and his confident strides to provide it with a safe environment. ||||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum ("Chanthupottum Chankelassum") | Malayalam | M. G. Sreekumar | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For a heartwarming rendition of the song. ||||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Paromitar Ek Din ("Hridoy Amar Prokash Holo") | Bengali | Jayshree Dasgupta | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For soulful rendering by the singer expressing the inner world of a mentally challenged character in this film. ||||
| Best Cinematography | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | Hindi | Cameraman: Anil Mehta Laboratory Processing: Adlabs | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a wide range of tonal variations achieved by the cinematographer to express the changing moods of this musical in a given space and time. ||||
| Best Screenplay | Karunam | Malayalam | Madampu Kunjukuttan | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For expressing with extreme economy and skilful cinematic treatment a story based on a sensitive screenplay woven around an old couple. ||||
| Best Audiography | Uttara | Bengali | Anup Mukhopadhyay | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For creating the ambience of sound in different layers to create an atmosphere in support of the stark visuals. The final mixed sound track has enhanced the effect of viewing the film enormously. ||||
| Best Editing | Vanaprastham | Malayalam | A. Sreekar Prasad | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For maintaining the required unity of form and content by putting images and sound tracks in perfect harmony and rhythm for this film. ||||
| Best Art Direction | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | Hindi | Nitin Chandrakant Desai | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For recreating the haveli ambience and matching it with the existing structure used, the décor of the sets and for recreating the best of life styles of the region. ||||
| Best Costume Design | Hey Ram | Tamil | Sarika | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For recreating a range of period costumes worn by characters from regions as varied as Lahore, Calcutta, Madras and Delhi and coming down to present times. ||||
| Best Music Direction | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | Hindi | Ismail Darbar | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For an innovative score that blends in the entire spectrum of Indian music form Classical to folk to embellish the musical narrative. ||||
| Best Lyrics | Sangamam ("Mudhal Murai Killipparthaein") | Tamil | Vairamuthu | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For the lyric "Mudhal Murai Killipparthaein" in the Tamil film Sangamam. In his own imitable style the renowned poet has imparted a certain lyrical charm to the song. ||||
| Best Special Effects | Hey Ram | Tamil | Mantra | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For judicious use of special effects to enhance the feel of living in the past and conversing with a legend of Indian history. ||||
| Best Choreography | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam ("Dholi Taro") | Hindi | • Sameer Tanna • Arsh Tanna • Vaibhavi Merchant | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For combining musical elements in the dance number skilfully composed by the choreographer to enrich visual opulence. ||||
| Special Jury Award | Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum | Malayalam | Kalabhavan Mani (Actor) | ₹ 25,000/- |
| Citation: For a sensitive and realistic portrayal of a blind man complete with his behavioural and gestural distortions as he copes with difficulties in making life meaningful. ||||
| Special Mention | Gharabaher | Marathi | Mohan Joshi (Actor) | Certificate Only |
| Certificate Only |||
| Special Mention | Baibhab | Assamese | Manju Borah (Director) | Certificate Only |
| Certificate Only |||
| Special Mention | Deveeri | Kannada | Kavitha Lankesh (Director) | 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 | Pokhi | Producer: Dolphin Communications Director: Jahnu Barua | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For beautifully structured film centred around the turmoil in the life of an orphan the film finely balances the demands of characterisation, perform-ance and storytelling to focus attention on the role played by the child in bringing about an attitudinal change in a selfish money lender. |||
| Best Feature Film in Bengali | Paromitar Ek Din | Producer: Rajesh Agarwal Director: Aparna Sen | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For depicting the changing temper of society and the changing balances of human relationships very sensitively portrayed. The film highlights the changing equations between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who begin as adversaries and become confidantes. |||
| Best Feature Film in Hindi | Shool | Producer: Nitin Manmohan and Ram Gopal Varma Director: E. Nivas | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For unveiling the complete collapse of the socio-political system. A very effective portrayal of the determined fight of a single citizen in the centre of a façade of democracy. |||
| Best Feature Film in Kannada | Kanooru Heggadithi | Producer: H. G. Narayana, C. M. Narayana and I. P. Mallegowda Director: Girish Karnad | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For depicting increasing gaps between generation and genders very sensitively portrayed through the three main female characters. |||
| Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Punaradhivasam | Producer: N. P. Prakash Director: V. K. Prakash | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For depicting an intricately structured screenplay about the need for discovering new adjustments in family relationship and the complexities and fallacies of conjugal harmony. |||
| Best Feature Film in Marathi | Gharabaher | Producer: Ratan Madan and Narendra Shinde Director: Sanjay Surkar | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For depicting the hypocrisy exercised by man in complete contradiction of declared socio-political positions and a total reversal of behaviour when it comes to power and lust. It draws attention to the inherent problems in the empowerment of women. |||
| Best Feature Film in Odia | Biswaprakash | Producer: NFDC Director: Susant Misra | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For depicting the story of a young man in search of his identify and direction in life. The beautifully photo-graphed film depicts the lack of opportunities in a small town. |||
| Best Feature Film in Tamil | Sethu | Producer: A. Kandasamy Director: Bala | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For an impressive debut by a director with a commendable grasp of the grammar of mainstream cinema. It deserves special mention for combining popular elements with the unconventional. |||
| Best Feature Film in Telugu | Kalisundam Raa | Producer: Daggubati Suresh Babu Director: Uday Shankar | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a conventionally structured film in the genre of mainstream cinema which conveys in an entertaining and wholesome manner a social message of togetherness and the need for preserving the unit of the joint family. |||

### Non-Feature Films

Short Films made in any Indian language and 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 Jabbar Patel was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:
* Jury Members
** Jabbar Patel (Chairperson) • Malay Bhattacharya • O. K. Johny • Meera Dewan • Rashmi Doraiswamy

#### 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 | Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein (Between the Devil and the Deep River) | Hindi | Producer: Arvind Sinha Director: Arvind Sinha | ₹ 20,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its in-depth portrayal of an environmental disaster in North Bihar, of lives uprooted and rendered ‘amphibian’ due to the blind imposition of the development model of embankment of rivers. ||||

#### 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 | Deivangal Padiyirangumbol (When Gods Depart) | Tamil | Producer: Pradeep Kumar Director: Pradeep Kumar | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its objective and well-researched point of view on the lives of tribes in the Wayanad region; it captures their fragile existence cause in the process of change. ||||
| Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film | Koihatir Dhulia | Assamese | Producer: Satyabrat Kalita Director: Hemanta Das | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| ₹ 10,000/- Each |||
| Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film | Surabhi | Telugu | Producer: K. Jaydev Director: K. N. T. Sastry | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| ₹ 10,000/- Each |||
| Best Biographical Film | Nottam | Malayalam | Producer: Bina Narayan Director: M. R. Rajan | ₹ 5,000/- Each |
| ₹ 5,000/- Each |||
| Best Biographical Film | Mallika Sarabhai | English | Producer: Films Division Director: Aruna Raje Patil | ₹ 5,000/- Each |
| ₹ 5,000/- Each |||
| Best Arts / Cultural Film | "Thang Ta"- The Martial Art of Manipur | English | Producer: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Director: Aribam Syam Sharma | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its passionate cinematic expression of a traditional martial art of Manipur. ||||
| Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film | And The Bamboo Blooms | English | Producer: Films Division Director: Joshy Joseph | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its creative approach to the importance of bamboo in the economic and social lives of the people of Manipur and Mizoram. ||||
| Best Film on Social Issues | Atanka Ka Andhakar (Darkness of Terror) | Hindi | Producer: Films Division Director: Rajiv Kumar | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its documentation of the social issue of caste politics and the ensuing ruthless violence in Bihar. ||||
| Best Short Fiction Film | Blind Folded | Tamil | Producer: A. Sriram Director: S. Sri Ram | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation: For its creative controlled treatment of an emotional and socially relevant theme. ||||
| Best Cinematography | Kalamandalam Gopi | Malayalam | Cameraman: Mankada Ravi Varma Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratories | ₹ 10,000/- Each |
| Citation: For the imaginative and excellent visual quality rendered with consistency. ||||
| Best Audiography | The Vehicle with a Soul of a Man | | Chinmoy Nath | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For imaginatively capturing the hard labour and tediousness of the Pitthu through the sound design achieved through an appropriate synthesis of sound and silence. ||||
| Best Editing | Of Confucius, S-Spots and Toyguns | English, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil | Ajit Kumar | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For the creative and crisp juxtaposition of imagery which complements the theme of the film. ||||
| Special Jury Award | Of Confucius, S-Spots and Toyguns | English, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil | Deep Prakash (Director) | ₹ 10,000/- |
| Citation: For its stylised, graphic and playful narrative on modern life, violence and the contemporary media. ||||
| Special Mention | Fire | English and Hindi | Vinod Subramanian (Director) | Certificate Only |
| Citation: For its imaginative and multifaceted presentation of the theme. ||||

### 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 K. Satchidanandan was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:
* Jury Members
** K. Satchidanandan (Chairperson) • Deepa Gahlot • Siladitya Sen

#### 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 | Malayala Cinemayum Sahithyavum | Malayalam | Author: Madhu Eravankara Publisher: D. C. Books | ₹ 15,000/- Each |
| ₹ 15,000/- Each |||
| Best Book on Cinema | Marathi Chitrapat Sangeetachi Vatchal | Marathi | Author: Aruna Anant Damle Publisher: Anil Damle | ₹ 15,000/- Each |
| ₹ 15,000/- Each |||
| Best Film Critic | | Malayalam | I. Shanmugha Das | ₹ 15,000/- |
| Citation: For his understanding of the history of the art of cinema, his commitment to excellence in films, his grasp of film aesthetics and his originality of vision. ||||

#### Special Mention

All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit.
| Name of Award | Name of Book | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Special Mention (Book on Cinema) | Economic Aspects of Film Industry in Kerala | English | Author: Uma J. Nair | Certificate Only |
| Citation: For its original interdisciplinary research. ||||

### Awards not given

Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:
* Best Feature Film in English
* Best Non-Feature Film Direction
* Best Agricultural Film
* Best Exploration / Adventure Film
* Best Film on Family Welfare
* Best Feature Film in Manipuri
* Best Scientific Film
* Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film
* Best Investigative Film
* Best Music Direction
* Best Feature Film in Punjabi
* Best Promotional Film
* Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film
* Best Animation Film