56th National Film Awards

The 56th National Film Awards, presented by Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India to celebrate the best of Indian Cinema released in the year 2008.[1]

56th National Film Awards
Awarded forBest of Indian cinema in 2008
Awarded byDirectorate of Film Festivals
Presented byPratibha Patil
(President of India)
Announced on23 January 2010 (2010-01-23)
Presented on20 March 2010 (2010-03-20)
SiteVigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Official websitedff.nic.in
Highlights
Best Feature FilmAntaheen
Best Non-Feature FilmAFSPA 1958
Best BookBollywood Melodies
Best Film Critic • Altaf Mazid
 • R. K. Bidur Singh
Dadasaheb Phalke AwardV. K. Murthy
Most awardsJogwa (5)

Three committees were instituted in order to judge the various entries for feature film, non-feature film and best writing on cinema sections, headed by the National award-winning director, Shaji N. Karun, for feature films and Aruna Raje Patil for non-feature films and Sunil Gangopadhyay for best writing on cinema.[2]

Each chairperson announced the award on 23 January 2010[3] 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 20 March 2010.[4][5]

Awards

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

Lifetime Achievement Award

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Name of Award Image Awardee(s) Awarded As Awards
Dadasaheb Phalke Award   V. K. Murthy[6][7] Cinematographer Swarna Kamal, 10,00,000 and a Shawl

Feature films

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Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 56th National Film Awards, a Bengali film, Antaheen won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film; whereas a Marathi film, Jogwa won the maximum number of awards (5). The following awards were given in each category:[1]

Juries

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A committee headed by Shaji N. Karun was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. The jury members were:[1][2]

All India Award

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The following awards were given:[1][8]

Golden Lotus Award
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Official name: Swarna Kamal[1][8]

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 Antaheen Bengali Producer: Screenplay Films Pvt. Ltd.
Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
2,50,000/- Each
Citation: For lyrical blend of technical devices in the right proportion to depict shifting human relationships in an urban scenario.
Best Debut Film of A Director A Wednesday! Hindi Producer: UTV Motion Pictures
Director: Neeraj Pandey
1,25,000/- Each
Citation: For slick and searing exposure of the tension below the normal rhythm of life and the angst of the common man in Mumbai.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! Hindi Producer: UTV Motion Pictures
Director: Dibakar Banerjee
2,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its intelligent treatment of an off-beat subject that makes it different within the popular format.
Best Children's Film Gubbachigalu Kannada Producer: Media House Studio
Director: Abhaya Simha
1,50,000/- Each
Citation: For imaginative portrayal of a magic world that exists in the minds of children.
Best Animated Film Roadside Romeo Hindi Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Jugal Hansraj
Animator: Tata Elxsi/VCL
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its technical achievements to further the craft of animation for mainstream audience.
Best Direction Naan Kadavul Tamil Bala 2,50,000/-
Citation: For its powerful handling of an extraordinary subject that focuses on marginal characters with great convection.
Silver Lotus Award
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Official name: Rajat Kamal[1][8]

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 Aai Kot Nai Assamese Producer: Rajen Bora
Director: Manju Borah
1,50,000/- Each
Citation: For its honest look at a burning problem in Northeast India, its attempt to break down artificial boundaries and giving it a human and aesthetic appeal.
Best Film on Family Welfare Little Zizou English and Gujarati Producer: Jigri Dost Productions
Director: Sooni Taraporevala
1,50,000/- Each
Citation: For its witty and intelligent handling of the conflicts and convictions confronting the Parsi community.
Best Film on Other Social Issues Jogwa Marathi Producer: Shripal Morakhia
Director: Rajeev Patil
1,50,000/- Each
Citation: For hard hitting comment on the victims of age old social customs.
Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation Jianta Bhoota Oriya Producer: Akshay Parija
Director: Prashanta Nanda
1,50,000/- Each
Citation: For sensitive portrayal of exploitation of innocence in the name of development.
Best Actor Jogwa Marathi Upendra Limaye 50,000/-
Citation: For his restrained yet powerful depiction of a complex character.
Best Actress Fashion Hindi Priyanka Chopra 50,000/-
Citation: For convincing portrayal of a whole range of emotions within a single character.
Best Supporting Actor Rock On!! Hindi Arjun Rampal 50,000/-
Citation: For his moving performance as a musician trying to rise above personal tragedy.
Best Supporting Actress Fashion Hindi Kangana Ranaut 50,000/-
Citation: For compelling portrayal of a down and out super model that enriches the impact of the film.
Best Child Artist Thanks Maa Hindi Shams Patel 50,000/-
Citation: For his very natural depiction of a street child thrown into an unusual situation.
Best Male Playback Singer Jogwa
("Jeev Dangla Gungla Rangla")
Marathi Hariharan 50,000/-
Citation: For his soulful rendition reflecting the agony of unfulfilled emotions.
Best Female Playback Singer  • Antaheen
("Pherari Mon")
 • Jogwa
("Jeev Dangla Gungla Rangla")
 • Bengali

 • Marathi
Shreya Ghoshal 50,000/-
Citation: For her wide ranging rendition of human emotions.
Best Cinematography Antaheen Bengali Cameraman: Abhik Mukhopadhyay
Laboratory Processing: Filmlab, Mumbai
50,000/- Each
Citation: For the poetically captured visuals with inspired use of light and shades to enhanced the mood of the film.
Best Screenplay Gandha Marathi Sachin Kundalkar 50,000/-
Citation: For its remarkable integration of three different plots using the sense of smell at as a liet motif to focus sensitively on human relationships.
Best Audiography Gandha Marathi  • Pramod J. Thomas
 • Anmol Bhave
50,000/-
Citation: For its use of dramatically scripted sounds to heighten the mood of the film.
Best Editing Firaaq Hindi A. Sreekar Prasad 50,000/-
Citation: For aesthetically weaving together unrelated sequences to heighten the dramatic impact.
Best Art Direction Firaaq Hindi Gautam Sen 50,000/-
Citation: For its perfect use of props and choice of colours to enhance the ambience of a post-riots.
Best Costume Design Jodhaa Akbar Hindi Neeta Lulla 50,000/-
Citation: For its painstaking detail to recreate the costume costumes and jewellery of Mughal era.
Best Make-up Artist Naan Kadavul Tamil U. K. Sasi 50,000/-
Citation: For its wide variety of make-up inputs to reflect the large spectrum of characters.
Best Music Direction Jogwa Marathi Ajay–Atul 50,000/-
Citation: For its well-researched use of traditional and folk music to reinforce the theme of the film.
Best Lyrics Antaheen
("Pherari Mon")
Bengali  • Anindya Chatterjee
 • Chandril Bhattacharya
50,000/-
Citation: For its simple composition of verses to contribute meaningfully to the film.
Best Special Effects Mumbai Meri Jaan Hindi Govardhan (Tata Elxsi) 50,000/-
Citation: For its stunning use of technical effects of visual shorts to mirror a man-made disaster.
Best Choreography Jodhaa Akbar
("Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah")
Hindi  • Chinni Prakash
 • Rekha Prakash
50,000/-
Citation: For its extravagant and dreamlike treatment of celebrations on a magnificent scale.
Special Jury Award Bioscope Malayalam  • NFDC (Producer)
 • K. M. Madhusudhanan (Director)
62,500/- Each
Citation: For its exciting revival of a sincerely personal style to look back on a chapter of history.

Regional Awards

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The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India.[1][8]

Name of award Name of film Awardee(s) Cash prize
Best Feature Film in Assamese Mon Jaai Producer: Moirangthem Movies
Director: M. Maniram
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its honest exploration of ethical values confronting the youth.
Best Feature Film in Bengali Shob Charitro Kalponik Producer: Reliance Big Pictures
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its poetic treatment of an individual sensitivities in a crisis.
Best Feature Film in Hindi Rock On!! Producer: Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
Director: Abhishek Kapoor
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For an emotional story of musical bonding.
Best Feature Film in Kannada Vimukthi Producer: Navyachitra Creations
Director: P. Sheshadri
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For exploring different dimension of family ties.
Best Feature Film in Malayalam Thirakkatha Producer: Varnachithra Big Screen
Director: Ranjith
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its poignant story of an actress told with sincerity and conviction.
Best Feature Film in Marathi Harishchandrachi Factory Producer: UTV Motion Pictures
Director: Paresh Mokashi
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its original of stylised recreation of a slice of history.
Best Feature Film in Tamil Vaaranam Aayiram Producer: V. Ravichandran
Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its engaging depiction of a father and son relationship.
Best Feature Film in Telugu 1940 Lo Oka Gramam Producer: N. C. Narasimham
Director: Narasimha Nandi
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its courageous handling of caste-based prejudices.

Best Feature Film in Each of the Languages 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 Land Gold Women Producer: Vivek Agrawal
Director: Avantika Hari
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its intense depiction of the issue of honour killing.
Best Feature Film in Kokborok Yarwng Producer: Joseph Kizhakechennadu
Director: Joseph Pulinthanath
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For a meaningful story of displaced people looking to rebuild their lives.
Best Feature Film in Tulu Gaggara Producer: M. Durganand
Director: Shivadhwaj Shetty
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For its attempt to preserve traditional folk forms.

Non-feature films

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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

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A committee headed by Aruna Raje Patil was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. The jury members were:[1][2]

Golden Lotus Award

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Official name: Swarna Kamal[1][8]

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 AFSPA 1958 Meitei and English Producer: Bachaspa Timayun Sunzu and Haobam Paban Kumar
Director: Haobam Paban Kumar
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For a courageous depiction of the non-violent resistance of the people of Manipur to protest against a legislation, which undermines the values of self-respect and the fundamentals of democracy. The documentation process by various crews and the way it is chronicled offers multiple perspectives.
Best Non-Feature Film Direction Three of Us Only Music Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni 50,000/-
Citation: With immense sensitivity, the film offers a slice of life of a physically challenged person, which transcends into a telling cinematic practice of minimalism and control. A poetic exploration that breathes the indomitable spirit of these real characters playing themselves, way above its bleak mise-en-scene.

Silver Lotus Award

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Official name: Rajat Kamal[1][8]

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 Vitthal Marathi Producer: Vinoo Choliparambil and Manu Pushpendran
Director: Vinoo Choliparambil
1,00,000/- Each
Citation: For a sensitive portrayal of the latent violence building up in a child against the ritualistic social norms which are forced on him. The filmmaker demonstrates maturity and dexterity in handling the script and the actors, bringing out the complexity of a child’s mind trapped in a world of adults.
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film Boliya Pitaier Sohoki Sootal Assamese Producer: Altaf Mazid, Zabeen Ahmed and Susanta Roy
Director: Altaf Mazid
50,000/- Each
Citation: For a film which uniquely depicts the long arduous struggle of a community to build check dams using their indigenous engineering skills. An experiential journey which transcends documentation and makes the viewer participate in the process.
Best Biographical Film The Assassination Of Rajiv Gandhi – A Reconstruction English Producer: Films Division
Director: R. Krishna Mohan
50,000/- Each
Citation: For traversing vast stretches of time and geographical space, this film deftly puts together strands of information, perception, evidence and historical contexts to reconstruct a compelling narrative about the gruesome assassination of a world leader.
Best Arts / Cultural Film Karna Motcham Tamil Producer: MGR Film and TV Institute
Director: S. Murali Manohar
50,000/- Each
Citation: For using powerful imagery and ironical juxtaposition, the film depicts the life of a Koothu artist. With subtlety, it captures the frustration and the hopelessness of a performer whose art is a misfit in a changing cultural world.
Best Scientific Film Trip English Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Director: Emmanuel Palo
50,000/- Each
Citation: For the film with a simple, almost lighthearted, treatment evolves into a powerful message of conservation. Using an unconventional music track and animation, the film jolts the viewer to relook at waste and pollution.
Best Promotional Film Lost and Found Marathi, English and Hindi Producer: Harshavardhan G. Kulkarni, Kirti Nakhwa and Amitabh Shukla
Director: Harshavardhan G. Kulkarni
50,000/- Each
Citation: For using a bottle as a metaphor for a journey of discovery, the filmmaker finds an innovative style to explore various locations through people and their experiences, challenging the classical promotional style of selling tourism.
Best Agricultural Film The Land Of Rupshupas English Producer: Films Division
Director: A. K. Sidhpuri
50,000/- Each
Citation: With breath taking images of the higher Himalayas and the nomadic people living in this harsh climate and terrain, the film effectively explores the relationship of the Rupshupas with their livestock and how critical it is for their survival.
Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film The Assassination Of Rajiv Gandhi – A Reconstruction English Producer: Films Division
Director: R. Krishna Mohan
50,000/- Each
Citation: For traversing vast stretches of time and geographical space, this film deftly puts together strands of information, perception, evidence and historical contexts to reconstruct a compelling narrative about the gruesome assassination of a world leader.
Best Film on Social Issues The Female Nude Hindi Producer: Public Service Broadcasting Trust
Director: Hemjyotika and Devi Prasad Mishra
50,000/- Each
Citation: For a compelling portrait of a woman who rises above her circumstances in an unconventional way, carving out a position for herself irrespective of how others view her.
Buru Gaara Hindi Producer: Public Service Broadcasting Trust
Director: Shriprakash
Citation: For the journey of two adivasi women from Jharkhand, finding their identity and dignity using language - one through poetry and the other through grassroots journalism. The film creates a space where the narratives of the women emerge as powerful tales of their struggle for empowerment.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film Polio Vs. Polio Victims English, Hindi and Marathi Producer: Gulshan Sachdeva
Director: Aman Sachdeva
50,000/- Each
Citation: For an innovative campaign for the eradication of polio - the film follows the polio afflicted who take the initiative for mass awareness by going door to door.
Best Exploration / Adventure Film Shingnaba Meitei Producer: Bachaspa Timayum Sunzu
Director: Bachaspa Timayum Sunzu
50,000/- Each
Citation: For an inspiring portrayal of an HIV positive person who dramatically transforms his life and becomes a champion body builder. A first person narrative, it provides a new perspective on AIDS and our understanding of sports.
Best Investigative Film Distant Rumblings English Producer: Ms. Rongsenkala
Director: Bani Prakash Das
50,000/- Each
Citation: For evoking painful memories of World War II as experienced by people of North East India, after the Japanese invasion. Through war wreckages found in the jungles and first person accounts, the film stitches together a moving story of affected families long forgotten.
Best Animation Film Prince And The Crown Of Stones English Producer: Children's Film Society
Director: Gautam Benegal
Animator: Gautam Benegal
50,000/- Each
Citation: For a well knit theme-oriented film, complemented by 2D graphics and a restrained colour palette. A strong message about leadership emerges through the film making it relevant to the contemporary times.
Best Short Fiction Film Stations Hindi, Marathi and English Producer: Film and Television Institute of India
Director: Emmanuel Palo
50,000/- Each
Citation: For weaving a complex contemporary form of expression, through fragmented stories of a few sparsely connected lives in transit, over an omnipresent dark urban reality of economic disparity, alienation, and bad faith.
Best Film on Family Welfare Appuvin Nayagan - Spotty (My Hero) Tamil Producer: A.V.Anoop
Director: Santosh Sethumadhavan
50,000/- Each
Citation: For scoring with a very tender story that transforms into a moving portrayal of a child's attachment to her toy and her grandfather's dilemma when he loses it. A sensitive film that offers fresh insights into a child's imagination and needs.
Best Cinematography Three Of Us Only Music Cameraman: Shariqva Badar Khan
Laboratory Processing: Filmlab, Mumbai
12,500/- Each
Citation: For providing with amazing discipline and sensitivity, an intimate insight into the lives of a small family, living in a confined space, with exquisite use of composition, rhythm, lensing and lighting.
When This Man Dies Hindi, English Cameraman: Jayakrishna Gummadi
Laboratory Processing: Adlabs Films Ltd.
Citation: For using highly sophisticated texture and tonal work, with deep anticipation into the flow and narrative of the film, the cinematography strives to redefine ways of image making and experience.
Best Audiography Children Of The Pyre Hindi Re-recordist: Mateen Ahmad 50,000/-
Citation: With multiple layers of sound, and the incessant crackle of funeral pyres that cease to sleep, the film grips its audience with a sense of entrapment around the life of children working inside a cremation ground. It is a telling example of digetic sound design keeping its truth to the reality of the location.
Best Editing Stations Hindi, Marathi and English Manoj Kannoth 50,000/-
Citation: For a delicately interwoven edit of three sparsely connected contemporary urban tales of alienation. Developing a rhythm with parallel and simultaneous stories, the cutting sculpts an extremely powerful contemporary form.
Best Music Direction Narmeen Hindi and Punjabi Vipin Mishra 50,000/-
Citation: For a sensitive and evocative musical score, with an amazing use of the violin ensemble, which is both a deeply personal and universal experience.
Best Narration / Voice Over Sana Keithel English Elangbam Natasha 50,000/-
Citation: For a gentle and intimate voice which leads you to a great treasure house of insights on markets run by women in Manipur.
Special Jury Award Children Of The Pyre Hindi Rajesh S. Jala (Director) 50,000/-
Citation: Constrained by the stifling and searing world of children working in cremation grounds, the film helps them to recreate a world of their own. The director captures rare reflexive moments of the children and makes the viewers live their pain, joys and dreams.
Special Mention Vitthal Marathi Aniket Rumade (Child actor) Certificate Only
Citation: For his excellent portrayal of a young boy, Vitthal, dealing with ritualistic norms forced on him and his struggle to contain the anger brewing within.

Best Writing on Cinema

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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

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A committee headed by Sunil Gangopadhyay was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. The jury members were:[1][2]

Golden Lotus Award

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Official name: Swarna Kamal[1][8]

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 Bollywood Melodies English Author: Ganesh Anantharaman
Publisher: Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd.
75,000/- Each
Citation: For sailing down the mainstream of Hindi film music but manages to find rivulets of solace all his own. He blends substance with style, taking care not to appear too profound or flimsy. He brings out the lesser known aspects of popular Hindi film songs thereby infusing them with fresh dignity. Ganesh delves into the ragas of film songs, keeping some space for little banter between artists.
Best Film Critic English and Assamese Altaf Mazid 37,500/- Each
Citation: For a straight laced expression marks Altaf Mazid’s works. His simple narration of subjects is backed up by a researcher’s keen eye. He talks of the specific in a universally acceptable manner. No flourishes, he focuses on Assamese film industry with steadfastness and perseverance. Quite appropriately too, for an industry that is now celebrating its Platinum jubilee.
Meitei R. K. Bidur Singh
Citation: For taking the readers to a state little known to our film makers. He understands cinema like few others, bringing with him an open mindset that accepts the plurality of thought. He upholds the cause of regional film makers and his ability to focus on cultural relativity does not leave him even when he talks of international cinema. He loves films and it shows in his works.

Special mention

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All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit.[1][8]

Name of award Name of book Language Awardee(s) Cash prize
Special Mention (Book on Cinema) The Director's Mind English Ujjal Chakraborty Certificate Only
Citation: For giving a fresh insight into the works of timeless luminaries. That is no mean achievement considering Ujjal talks of works of some of biggest film makers. Rather than confusing the readers with technical jargon, Ujjal brings to the fore the ethos of film making, revealing the masterpieces of past Masters.

Awards not given

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The following awards were not given as no film was found to be suitable:[1][8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "56th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "56th National Film Awards juries (PIB)" (PDF). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  3. ^ "56th National Film Awards announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  4. ^ "President to confer 56th national film awards". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  5. ^ "130 awardees receive the 56th national film awards from President". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Dadasaheb Phalke Award Past Recipients". Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Dadasaheb Phalke Award to V K Murthy". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "56th National Film Awards (PDF) (PIB)" (PDF). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
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