There are countless movie award shows in India, but very few which are actually credible. The most prestigious and legitimate of these are the National Film Awards. Picked by an eminent jury of respected filmmakers, these awards honour the best of Indian cinema, not just Bollywood. This edition, Corporate Citizen brings you the winners of the 64th National Film Awards
Ventilator is a 2016 Indian Marathi language comedy-drama film written and directed by Rajesh Mapuskar and produced by Priyanka Chopra. Featuring an ensemble cast of more than 100 actors including Jitendra Joshi, Sulabha Arya, Sukanya Kulkarni—Mone, Viju Khote, Achyut Potdar, Usha Nadkarni, Swati Chitnis and Deepak Shirke. The film tells the story of a joint family whose eldest and the most respected person goes into a coma few days before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The film won three awards at the 64th National Film Awards: Best Director for Mapuskar, Best Editing and Best Sound Mixing.
Rustom is courtroom drama film starring Akshay Kumar and Illena D’Cruz, loosely based on the famous Nanavati murder trial, which led to the abolishment of the Jury system in the Indian Judiciary. The movie was a huge hit, and Akshay Kumar has turned in a controlled performance as the titular Rustom. However, Askhay’s win hasn’t been unanimously well received, and there has been criticism from several quarters about whether Rustom was indeed a national award winning performance, when there were several other performances by other actors in contention.
A forward-thinking Indian lady offers the shelter of her beach house to a suicidal young man in Turtle (Kaasav), which is a heartfelt social drama from the award-winning directing/ producing team Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar. Just as mother sea turtles must lay their eggs and hope for the best from their offspring, the lady too, creates an emotional incubator until her houseguest can swim away on his own. It’s a pretty story told in tropical splendour on the beaches of Goa, but underneath the feel-good surface lies serious psychology and pro filmmaking. Starring Irawati Harshe, Alok Rajwade, Kishor Kadam and Dr. Mohan Agashe, Kaasav is filled with memorable performances and artful direction. Don’t miss it for the world.
Famous Malyalam dancer-cum-theatre artiste Surabhi C M won the Best Actress award for her performance in Minnaminungu. Directed by Anil Thomas, the film has her playing the role of a 45-year-old mom from Trivandrum, who is bogged down by the various issues in her life. The movie completely hinges on the shoulders of Surabhi, and she has essayed her role beautifully. Watch it for her hard-hitting performance.
by Neeraj Varty
