46th National Film Awards

The 46th 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 1998.[1][2][3][4] Ceremony took place on 15 February 2000 and awards were given by then President of India, K. R. Narayanan.

46th National Film Awards
Awarded forBest of Indian cinema in 1998
Awarded byDirectorate of Film Festivals
Presented byK. R. Narayanan
(President of India)
Presented on15 February 2000 (2000-02-15)
Official websitedff.nic.in
Highlights
Best Feature FilmSamar
Best Non-Feature FilmIn The Forest Hangs a Bridge
Best BookCinemaee Bhasha Aur Hindi Samvadon Ka Vishleshan
Best Film CriticMeenakshi Shedde
Dadasaheb Phalke AwardB. R. Chopra
Most awardsGodmother (6)

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   B. R. Chopra[5] director and producer Swarna Kamal, 100,000 and a Shawl

Feature films

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Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 46th National Film Awards, a Hindi film, Samar won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, whereas another Hindi film, Godmother won the maximum number of awards (6). Following were the awards given in each category:[1][2]

Juries

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A committee headed by D. V. S. Raju was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. Following were the jury members:[1]

All India Award

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Following were the awards given:[1][2]

Golden Lotus Award
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Official Name: Swarna Kamal[1][2]

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 Samar Hindi Producer: Shyam Benegal, Sahyadri Films and NFDC
director: Shyam Benegal
50,000/- Each
Citation: For the innovative and human manner in which the director structures and presents a continuing social evil.
Best Debut Film of a Director Daya Malayalam Producer: C. K. Gopinath
Director: Venu
25,000/- Each
Citation: For its depiction of a delightful fairy-tale-like theme lending exotic sophistication and colour to the unique mosaic of creativity, imagination and style.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Hindi Producer: Yash Johar
Director: Karan Johar
40,000/- Each
Citation: For the irresistible charm and universal appeal of its story, music, dance and performances.
Best Children's Film Kabhi Pass Kabhi Fail Hindi Producer: N'CYP
Director: Virendra Saini
30,000/- Each
Citation: For weaving an enchanting tale that can be enjoyed by children of all ages and drawing memorable performances from its large cast of characters.
Best Direction Janani Malayalam Rajeevnath 50,000/-
Citation: For a warmly compassionate film where subject and treatment are in perfect harmony.
Silver Lotus Award
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Official Name: Rajat Kamal[1][2]

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 Zakhm Hindi Producer: Pooja Bhatt
Director: Mahesh Bhatt
30,000/- Each
Citation: For boldly dealing with social and religious strife, communal tensions, violence and disharmony in contemporary times. The film has a message of love and peace that is conveyed in a sensitive way.
Best Film on Family Welfare Atmiyo Swajan Bengali Producer: Dhatri Films
Director: Raja Sen
30,000/- Each
Citation: For vividly portraying emotional and moral problems faced by an extended family wearing a rich tapestry of relationships, the film brings forth hope for the aged and celebrates life for the young.
Best Film on Other Social Issues Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala Malayalam Producer: C. Karunakaran
Director: Sreenivasan
30,000/- Each
Citation: For its strong theme of a woman's struggle against relentless difficulties heaped upon her by her worthless husband. Her ultimate success and emancipation prove to be socially inspiring.
Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation Malli Tamil Producer: N'CYP
Director: Santosh Sivan
30,000/- Each
Citation: For its lucid and lyrical depiction of nature and the need to save the environmental assets which have made life on tris earth possible and beautiful.
Best Actor Zakhm Hindi Ajay Devgn 10,000/- Each
Citation: For his restrained and moving performance of an angry man exasperated with the failing system.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar English Mammootty
Citation: For bringing to life a great national figure in a strong and memorable performance spanning several decades across three continents.
Best Actress Godmother Hindi Shabana Azmi 10,000/-
Citation: For her dramatic and passionate portrayal of a woman forced to fight in a man's world. The actress lends a rare intensity and dignity to her portrayal as the victim forced to take the law into her hands she projects a wide range of intricate and complek emotions with ease and sincerity. Shabana Azmi flawlessly weaves expression, voice and body language and comes up with one of her most memorable performances to date.
Best Supporting Actor Satya Hindi Manoj Bajpai 10,000/-
Citation: For his flawless performance of the eccentric underworld figure trapped in a system, cold blooded yet vulnerable at the same time.
Best Supporting Actress Hu Tu Tu Hindi Suhasini Mulay 10,000/-
Citation: For bringing alive negative personality without losing her human face. She acts with conviction and comes up with a powerful performance.
Best Child Artist Malli Tamil P. Shwetha 10,000/-
Citation: For her infectious and vibrant performance of a young child's pure bonding with nature and her trauma at the decadence in environment.
Best Male Playback Singer Godmother
("Suno Re Bhaila")
Hindi Sanjeev Abhyankar 10,000/-
Citation: For the song in which he successfully blends folk, bhajan and popular music to communicate the lyrics effectively.
Best Female Playback Singer Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
("Kuch Kuch Hota Hai")
Hindi Alka Yagnik 10,000/-
Citation: Her rendering of this theme song brings out the different moods and emotion and adds greatly to the impact of the film.
Best Cinematography Dil Se.. Hindi Cameraman: Santosh Sivan
Laboratory Processing: Gemini Color Lab, Madras
10,000/- Each
Citation: His camera travels across spectacular landscapes and architecture and through bustling humanity with great seductive charm, colours and moods are created with equal ease in a film which sets a high standard of cinematic perfection.
Best Screenplay Samar Hindi Ashok Mishra 10,000/-
Citation: For Hindi film Samar where he has used a unique structure to ekplore the complek contradictions of urban/rural, rich/poor, pcwerful/dcwntrodden in a simple story line laced with poignant Moments of humour and irony for a perceptive insight into contemporary indian life.
Best Audiography Dil Se.. Hindi H. Sridhar 10,000/-
Citation: For capturing sounds as varied as the visuals and creating an unusual rhytham on the sound track.
Best Editing Godmother Hindi Renu Saluja 10,000/-
Citation: For her smart slick and innovative editing adds an artistic touch to the film. her pacing of the cuts enhance the emotions and sound overlaps lend a remarkable lucidity to the narration.
Best Art Direction Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar English Nitin Chandrakant Desai 10,000/-
Citation: The film covers a large time span from the pre-electricity age to post independence India. The scene, both indoor and outdoor move effortlessly around rural, urban, Indian and foreign locales and blur the distinction between sets and locations – with the aid of faultless camerawork, the art direction almost single handedly creates the entire period mood and feel of the film.
Best Costume Design Daya Malayalam S. B. Satheesan 10,000/-
Citation: For a fantasy without any concrete reference to known periods, locales or styles – the film achieves a high quality design integrity. The use of fabrics, weaves and prints are superbly executed and leave a lasting impression.
Best Music Direction Godmother Hindi Vishal Bhardwaj 10,000/-
Citation: For the Hindi film Godmother where the narrative of the film and the music bring about an excellent blend of folk and modern music. It retains the fragrance of the soil of Gujarat.
Best Lyrics Godmother
("Maati Re Maati Re")
Hindi Javed Akhtar 10,000/-
Citation: For the authentic blend of dialect and emotion. a song of patriotism and passion, the lyrics are lucid and thought provoking.
Best Special Effects Jeans Tamil S. T. Venki 10,000/-
Citation: For his extremely innovative and spectacular special effects created on computor. The animation of the twin characters is fascinating and intriguing.
Best Choreography Daya
("Swargam Thedi Vannore")
Malayalam Brinda 10,000/-
Citation: For the spirited and novel adaptation of an Arabic dance.
Special Jury Award Kichhhu Sanlap Kichhu Pralap Bengali  • Drishyakavya (Producer)
 • Ashoke Viswanathan (Director)
12,500/- Each
Citation: The film is extra-ordinary in its experimental effort and works as a satire on our value system dominated by the pseudo intellectuals.
Special Mention Kante Koothurne Kanu Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao (Producer and Director) Certificate Only
Citation: For taking a stand on gender discrimination.
Anthapuram Telugu Prakash Raj (Actor)
Citation: For his wholesome performance of the obsessive feudal lord still, living in medieval times.
Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu Malayalam Manju Warrier (Actress)
Citation: For her subdued and consistence performance in several films entered for the awards.

Regional Awards

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The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India.[1][2]

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Cash Prize
Best Feature Film in Assamese Kuhkal Producer: Dolphin Communications
Director: Jahnu Barua
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its authentic portrayal of a historical event of british india.
Best Feature Film in Bengali Asukh Producer: D. Ramanaidu
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
20,000/- Each
Citation: For profiling the dilemma of a film actress, at a delicate point in her life. Rejected by her lover in love with another woman, asukh is an internalised study of an actress coming to terms with multiple pressures in her life.
Best Feature Film in Hindi Godmother Producer: Gramco Films
Director: Vinay Shukla
20,000/- Each
Citation: The films deals with contemporary power structure and confronts violence, corruption and passions with ease. The music, art direction and the dialogues combine to create a strong ethnic character setting a new trend in popular Indian cinema.
Best Feature Film in Kannada Hoomale Producer: K. S. Usha Rao
Director: Nagathihalli Chandrashekar
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its strong statement about a widow surmounting severe trials in an unfamiliar land and circumstances and finding love against a background of terrorism.
Best Feature Film in Malayalam Agnisakshi Producer: Srishti Films
Director: Shyamaprasad
20,000/- Each
Citation: It authentically deals with the social ambience prevailing among the brahmin community ages ago. The story unfolded through the bold adventures of one brahmin woman – Thethi – who finally takes to Sanyas.
Best Feature Film in Marathi Tu Tithe Mee Producer: Smita Talwalkar
Director: Sanjay Surkar
20,000/- Each
Citation: For shedding light on the plight of the old and the ageing and the crumbling of the joint family system in a novel and entertaining format of a love story. Beautiful performance by Mohan Joshi and Suhas Joshi are the highlights of the film.
Best Feature Film in Oriya Nandan Producer: N'CYP
Director: Apurba Kishore Bir
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its simple story and realistic milieu. Nandan portrays the aspiration of a poor child and the constraints of his parents in fulfilling them. The triumph of family values and love over material gloss has universal appeal.
Best Feature Film in Punjabi Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Producer: Manjeet Maan
Director: Manoj Punj
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its sensitive depiction of pain and sorrow perpetrated by the partition of India on Boota Singh, excellently portrayed by Gurdas Maan, the films reflects the aftermath of a tragedy delivers a message of love and humanity reaching far beyond the man made borders.
Best Feature Film in Tamil Housefull Producer: Bioscope Film Framers
Director: R. Parthiepan
20,000/- Each
Citation: For telling the story of a theatre manager and his passionate bonding with his audience. A bomb is discovered in the theatre bharat talkies during show time but removed in the nick of time saving the lives of those in the audience. In denouncing violence, the film makes a strong statement against terrorism.
Best Feature Film in Telugu Tholi Prema Producer: G. V. G. Raju
Director: A. Karunakaran
20,000/- Each
Citation: For an unusual love story about two friends who confess their feelings for each other at the end of the film, which is a break from the run-of-the-mill film.

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 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Producer: Government of India and Government of Maharashtra
Director: Jabbar Patel
20,000/- Each
Citation: For an authentic and well researched biographical film which probes the political and social aspects of the life of one of the greatest leaders of India.

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 Shaji N. Karun was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:[1]

  • Jury Members
    • Shaji N. Karun (Chairperson) • Rajesh Parmar • Nandan Kudhyadi • Sehjo Singh • Shoma A. Chatterjee

Golden Lotus Award

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Official Name: Swarna Kamal[1][3]

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 In The Forest Hangs a Bridge English Producer: Sanjay Kak
Director: Sanjay Kak
20,000/- Each
Citation: For the excellent cinematic documentation of the triumph of the collective spirit of human endeavour.

Silver Lotus Award

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Official Name: Rajat Kamal[1][3]

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 Repentance Malayalam Producer: Mohan Agashe for Films Division
Director: Rajeev Raj
10,000/- Each
Citation: For exploring new forms of cinematic expression and images.
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film Kherwal Parab Santali Producer: Sankar Rakshit
Director: Sankar Rakshit
10,000/- Each
Citation: For offering an insider's view into Santhal rites and rituals with authenticity and honesty.
Best Biographical Film  • 'Premji' – Ithihasathinte Sparsam
 • Unarvinte Kalam – M.R.B.
Malayalam Producer: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Director: M. R. Rajan
10,000/- Each
Citation: For an insightful voyage into the meaningful and exemplary lives of Premji and M.R.B., two legendary social reformers.
Best Arts / Cultural Film A Painter of Eloquent Silence: Ganesh Pyne English Producer: Buddhadeb Dasgupta
Director: Buddhadeb Dasgupta
10,000/- Each
Citation: For a moving tribute from one artist to another and an appreciation of a painter's hidden expression.
Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film Willing To Sacrifice English Producer: Dayakar Rao
Director: B. V. Rao
10,000/- Each
Citation: For an honest portrayal of the sacred convictions of a people for whom conservation is a way of life.
Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film Anna Vaazhigirar Tamil Producer: Tamil Nadu Films Division
Director: Tamil Nadu Films Division
10,000/- Each
Citation: For integrating various cinematic forms to present a strong portrait of Annadurai.
Best Film on Social Issues Malli Tamil Producer: Film and TV Institute of Tamil Nadu
Director: R. Madhava Krisshnan
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its original reflection on the subject of sex-workers.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film Silent Scream English Producer: Vivek K. Kumar
Director: Vikram K. Kumar
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its daring attempt to shake people out of their apathy towards youth in distress.
Best Exploration / Adventure Film Malana – In Search Of English Producer: Neo Films
Director: Vivek Mohan
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its in-depth and detailed unearthing of a people isolated in time.
Best Investigative Film Saga of Darkness Bengali Producer: Creative Image
Director: Gautam Sen
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its courageous expose of an inhuman practice and state apathy.
Best Animation Film Education Only Her Future Only Music Producer: Arun Gongade for Films Division
Director: Arun Gongade for Films Division
Animator: Arun Gongade for Films Division
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its imaginative use of technique to make a strong statement for the education of the girl-child.
Best Short Fiction Film Jee Karta Tha Hindi Producer: Mohan Agashe for Films Division
Director: Hansa Thapliyal
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its brilliant originality in delineating a small town milieu and in evolving a new cinematic idiom.
Best Film on Family Welfare N. M. No. 367 – Sentence of Silence English Producer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division
Director: Joshy Joseph for Films Division
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its strong redefining of the family ethos in changing social circumstances of the Indian christian community.
Best Cinematography In The Forest Hangs a Bridge English Cameraman: Ranjan Palit
Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratories
10,000/- Each
Citation: For his perception of images to define a style that illustrates the harmony in the film.
Best Audiography Kumar Talkies Hindi Satheesh P. M. 10,000/-
Citation: For a sound design which evokes a vision of an era fading away.
Best Editing In The Forest Hangs a Bridge English Reena Mohan 10,000/-
Citation: For weaving a narrative imbued with lyricism of life.
Best Music Direction A Painter of Eloquent Silence: Ganesh Pyne English Biswadeb Dasgupta 10,000/-
Citation: For enriching the visuals with a contemplative sense of rhythm.
Special Jury Award Faqir Hindi Pawan Malhotra (Actor) 10,000/-
Citation: For superb restraint in portraying of Innocence, in Gautom Ghose's film Faqir.
Special Mention Jee Karta Tha Hindi Unni Vijayan (Director) Certificate Only
Citation: For his realisation of an innovative and a personalised style of constructing the film.

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 M. T. Vasudevan Nair was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:[1]

Golden Lotus Award

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Official Name: Swarna Kamal[1][4]

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 Cinemaee Bhasha Aur Hindi Samvadon Ka Vishleshan Hindi Author: Kishore Vaswani
Publisher: Hindi Book Centre
15,000/- Each
Citation: For its taking on a new area of study, and for its original analysis of the evolution of language in Hindi cinema, drawing links with Indian theatre and literature.
Best Film Critic English Meenakshi Shedde 15,000/-
Citation: For her lucid and objective criticism. She goes beyond the evaluation of a film in her attempt to place it in its social milieu, and her work reflects a good grasp of the aesthetics of cinema.

Special Mention

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All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit.[1][4]

Name of Award Name of Book Language Awardee(s) Cash Prize
Special Mention (Book on Cinema) Communication Cinema Development English Author: Gaston Roberge Certificate Only
Citation: For his book Communication Cinema Development which brings a multidisciplinary approach to bear on the subject of film.

Awards not given

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Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:[1][2][3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "46th National Film Awards (PIB – Feature films)". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "46th National Film Awards (PIB – Non-Feature films)". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d "46th National Film Awards (PIB – Writing)". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Dadasaheb Phalke Award Past Recipients". Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
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