43rd National Film Awards

The 43rd 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 1995.[1] Ceremony took place on 6 August 1996 and awards were given by then President of India, Shankar Dayal Sharma.

43rd National Film Awards
Awarded forBest of Indian cinema in 1995
Awarded byDirectorate of Film Festivals
Presented byShankar Dayal Sharma
(President of India)
Announced on25 May 1996 (1996-05-25)
Presented on6 August 1996 (1996-08-06)
SiteVigyan Bhavan, New Delhi
Official websitedff.nic.in
Highlights
Best Feature FilmKathapurushan
Best Non-Feature FilmTarana
Best BookMarathi Cinema: In Retrospect
Best Film CriticM. C. Raja Narayanan
Dadasaheb Phalke AwardRajkumar
Most awardsKaalapani (4)

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   Rajkumar[2] Actor, Playback singer 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 43rd National Film Awards, a Malayalam film, Kathapurushan won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film whereas a Malayalam film, Kaalapani won the maximum number of awards (4). Following were the awards given in each category:[1]

Juries

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A committee headed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee 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]

Golden Lotus Award
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Official Name: Swarna Kamal[1]

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 Kathapurushan Malayalam Producer: Adoor Gopalakrishnan
director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan
50,000/- Each
Citation: For the remarkable portrayal of the individual born on the eve of Independence. The film gives an insight into the socio-political evolution of the post-independent India through the individual with outstanding cinematic qualities and universal appeal.
Best Debut Film of a Director Kahini Bengali Producer: Chandramala Bhattacharya and Malaya Bhattacharya
Director: Malaya Bhattacharya
25,000/- Each
Citation: For its bold and innovative style and choice of a subject in which the form and content merges into one.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Hindi Producer: Yash Chopra 40,000/-
Director: Aditya Chopra 25,000/-
Citation: For providing meaningful family entertainment through a simple love story with kindness and sensitivity.
Best Children's Film Halo Hindi Producer: National Center of Films for Children and Young People
Director: Santosh Sivan
30,000/- Each
Citation: For its refreshing approach to the subject and in bringing out the impact of urban insensitivity from a child's point of view leading to a memorable finale.
Best Direction Naseem Hindi Saeed Akhtar Mirza 50,000/-
Citation: For the deeply moving portrayal of a family in turmoil in the midst of communal disharmony with lyrical quality and brilliant cinematic touches.
Silver Lotus Award
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Official Name: Rajat Kamal[1]

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 Bombay Tamil Producer: Mani Ratnam and S. Sriram
Director: Mani Ratnam
30,000/- Each
Citation: For its bold and sensitive approach to the problem of communal divide and for bringing out the futility of the carnage in the name of religion.
Best Film on Family Welfare Mini Malayalam Producer: Madhu
Director: P. Chandrakumar
30,000/- Each
Citation: For the effective handling of the problem of alcoholism through the determined efforts of a young girl to save her father from self destruction.
Best Film on Other Social Issues Doghi Marathi Producer: NFDC and Doordarshan
Director: Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukathnkar
30,000/- Each
Citation: For its depiction of poverty-stricken rural family consisting of two young sisters. The agony of survival in a tradition bound hostile society and their subsequent liberation is beautifully depicted in the film.
Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation Rape in the Virgin Forest Bodo Producer: Jwngdao Bodosa
Director: Jwngdao Bodosa
30,000/- Each
Citation: For effectively handling the problem of deforestation, through the life and struggle of a tribal community and exposing the real culprits behind this crime.
Best Actor The Making of the Mahatma English Rajit Kapur 10,000/-
Citation: For his extremely sensitive portrayal of Gandhi during his early years in south Africa with great restraint and control. The step by step transformation of a normal man to that of Mahatma is convincingly depicted.
Best Actress Bandit Queen Hindi Seema Biswas 10,000/-
Citation: For her stunning and courageous portrayal of the controversial role of a bandit with grace and conviction.
Best Supporting Actor Swami Vivekananda (Part I) Hindi Mithun Chakraborty 10,000/-
Citation: For his brilliant and soul searching portrayal of Shree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and succeeds in elevating the character to a spiritual level.
Best Supporting Actress Kathapurushan Malayalam Aranmula Ponnamma 10,000/-
Citation: For her work in the film in which she plays the role of a grand mother with tremendous sensitivity which makes her presence in the film memorable.
Best Child Artist Kraurya Kannada Master Vishwas 10,000/-
Citation: For his sensitive portrayal of a child, traumatised in an adult world devoid of love and understanding.
Best Male Playback Singer Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai
("Umandu Ghumandu Ghana Garaje Badara")
Kannada S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 10,000/-
Citation: For his soulful rendering of the classical song.
Best Female Playback Singer Doghi
("Bhui Bhegalali Khol")
Marathi Anjali Marathe 10,000/-
Citation: For her melodious and heart rendering song expressing the aridness of life.
Best Cinematography Kaalapani Malayalam Cameraman: Santosh Sivan
Laboratory Processing: Gemini Color Lab, Madras
10,000/- Each
Citation: For bringing out the flavor and authenticity of a period with a remarkable use of lights, shades and colours.
Best Screenplay Naseem Hindi  • Ashok Mishra
 • Saeed Akhtar Mirza
10,000/-
Citation: For their masterly and sensitive visual narration of a volatile and confused situation of the year 1992 in India with great depth and simplicity of words.
Best Audiography Kaalapani Malayalam Deepan Chatterji 10,000/-
Citation: For the meticulous use of sound, creating the unusual aura of Cellular Jail of Andaman.
Halo Hindi Deepan Chatterji
Citation: For the unique mixing of incidental and effect sound.
Best Editing Bombay Tamil Suresh Urs 10,000/-
Citation: For its impeccable craftsmanship in bringing about the pace, rhythm and flow in narrating the story.
Best Art Direction Kaalapani Malayalam Sabu Cyril 10,000/-
Citation: For his apt and outstanding recreation of the early decades of this century, with a remarkably detailed work of mis-en-scene.
Best Costume Design Bandit Queen Hindi Dolly Ahluwalia 10,000/-
Citation: For her authentic creation of costumes in terms of the tone and texture of the rugged and harsh realities of ravines of Chambal and its people.
Best Music Direction Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai Kannada Hamsalekha 10,000/-
Citation: For his authentic utilisation of classical Indian music in both the Hindustani and Karnatic style and presenting a wholesome musical structure to the film.
Best Lyrics Bhairavi
("Kuch Is Tarah")
Hindi Amit Khanna 10,000/-
Citation: The lyrics are meaningful, poetic and sensitively enhance the overall mood of the song sequence, thereby elevating the film.
Best Special Effects Kaalapani Malayalam S. T. Venki 10,000/-
Citation: For creating innovative and spectacular visual effects.
Best Choreography Yugant Bengali Ileana Citaristi 10,000/-
Citation: For her simply graceful and imaginative compositions of the dance sequence.
Special Jury Award The Making of the Mahatma English Shyam Benegal (Director) 25,000/-
Citation: For effectively recreating the formative years of Gandhi during his early years in South Africa thereby giving insight into the future "Mahatma".
Special Mention Doghi Marathi Uttara Baokar (Actor) Certificate Only
Citation: For her sensitive portrayal of the agony of a mother in the midst of poverty and honour.
Stri Telugu Rohini (Actress)
Citation: For her lively and poignant performance in the role of a village woman longing for love from her unpredictable paramour.
Halo Hindi Benaf Dadachandji (Child actor)
Citation: For her charming and natural performance.

Regional Awards

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

Name of Award Name of Film Awardee(s) Cash Prize
Best Feature Film in Assamese Itihas Producer: Leena Bora
Director: Bhabendra Nath Saikia
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its able depiction of complexity of life brought about by urbanisation.
Best Feature Film in Bengali Yugant Producer: NFDC
Director: Aparna Sen
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its contemporary form and thematic content, and subtle handling of the complex subject of a broken marriage. The film has universal appeal which has great relevance in today's society
Best Feature Film in Hindi Bandit Queen Producer: Sundeep Singh Bedi
Director: Shekhar Kapur
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its stark and frank portrayal of an Indian woman in a caste ridden society.
Best Feature Film in Kannada Kraurya Producer: Nirmala Chitgopi
Director: Girish Kasaravalli
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its poignant travail of and old woman'a agony in a middle class family and her complex relationship with the individuals of three generation.
Best Feature Film in Malayalam Ormakalundayirikkanam Producer: Salam Karassery
Director: T. V. Chandran
20,000/- Each
Citation: For the film, which through the eyes of a young boy traces the graph of a political transformation in Kerala.
Best Feature Film in Manipuri Sanabi Producer: NFDC
Director: Aribam Syam Sharma
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its apt and poetic handling of the conflict between the traditional and modern values, knitted around a pony symbolically.
Best Feature Film in Marathi Bangarwadi Producer: NFDC and Doordarshan
Director: Amol Palekar
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its realistic portrayal of a Maharashtrian village in the thirties through the experience of a young school teacher who tries to fight against all odds and superstition.
Best Feature Film in Oriya Moksha Producer: Jayadev Mallick and Pramoda Kumar Nayak
Director: Gouri Shankar Das and Malaya Kumar Roy
20,000/- Each
Citation: For depicting the life of two people in a rural set up who suffer an entire life of loneliness and unfulfilment, because of the rigid traditional values of society.
Best Feature Film in Tamil Anthimanthaarai Producer: Megaa Movies
Director: Bharathiraja
20,000/- Each
Citation: For a most heart breaking portrayal of the unrecognised and lonely life of people who fought for the freedom of this country.
Best Feature Film in Telugu Stri Producer: NFDC and Doordarshan
Director: K. S. Sethumadhavan
20,000/- Each
Citation: The film is a startling revelation of the mind of a simple village woman, who asserts her right over her man and stands by him under all circumstances.

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 The Making of the Mahatma Producer: NFDC
Director: Shyam Benegal
20,000/- Each
Citation: For tracing the significant early years of strife and struggle of Gandhi in South Africa in a realistic and lyrical form.

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 Vijaya Mulay was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:[1]

  • Jury Members
    • Vijaya Mulay (Chairperson) • Kulanda Kumar Bhattacharya • Naresh Bedi • Pradeep Biswas • M. V. Krishnaswamy

Golden Lotus Award

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Official Name: Swarna Kamal[1]

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 Tarana English Producer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division
Director: Rajat Kapoor
20,000/- Each
Citation: For its excellent cinematic interpretation of a traditional, mystic music form.

Silver Lotus Award

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Official Name: Rajat Kamal[1]

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 All Alone If Need Be English Producer: Amulya Kakati
Director: Ranjit Das
10,000/- Each
Citation: For a sensitive portrayal of Shri Sarat Chandra Sinha, simple upright man of principles with uncompromising integrity and human qualities both in his personal and public life.
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film Yelhou Jagoi Meitei Producer: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
Director: Aribam Syam Sharma
10,000/- Each
Citation: For documenting authentically and artistically a traditional dance form of Manipur.
Best Biographical Film A Living Legend English Producer: Aurora Film Corporation Pvt. Ltd.
Director: Satadru Chaki
10,000/- Each
Citation: For portraying with sincerity the life of an educationist and parliamentarian Prof. Hiren Mukherjee.
Best Arts / Cultural Film Pakarnnattam Ammannur The Actor Malayalam Producer: P. G. Mohan
Director: M. R. Rajan and C. S. Venkiteswaran
10,000/- Each
Citation: For recording sensitively the ancient theatre form of Koodiyattam as interpreted by the legendary Koodiyattam actor Ammannur Madhava Chakyar.
Best Scientific Film A Celestial Tryst (N. M. No. 291) English Producer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division
Director: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division
10,000/- Each
Citation: For presenting the total solar eclipse in all its captivating beauty, while providing relevant scientific information.
Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film Amrit Beeja English and Kannada Producer: Meera Dewan
Director: Meera Dewan
10,000/- Each
Citation: For successfully recording our traditions in the field of preservation of environment by women.
Best Agricultural Film Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Hindi Producer: L. K. Upadhyaya for Films Division
Director: A. K. Goorha for Films Division
10,000/- Each
Citation: For the simple, direct and clear demonstration of new irrigation systems.
Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film Bhalji Pendharkar English Producer: C. S. Nair and B. R. Shendge for Films Division
Director: P. B. Pendharkar for Films Division
10,000/- Each
Citation: For its careful reconstruction of the life of a pioneering film maker, vis-a-vis the national movement and post independence scenario.
Best Film on Social Issues Memories of Fear Hindi and English Producer: Flavia Agnes, Majlis Production
Director: Madhushree Dutta
10,000/- Each
Citation: For exposing with insight the fear psychosis and humiliation of women in the patriarchal Indian society.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film Home Away From Home English Producer: V. B. Joshi
Director: Late Vishram Revankar
10,000/- Each
Citation: For presenting ably how the vision of Dr. Karve has been turned into a reality for education and development of women.
Best Investigative Film Limit to Freedom English Producer: Deepak Roy
Director: Deepak Roy
10,000/- Each
Citation: For depicting the miserable plight of women prisoners and their bleak protests for any future.
Best Animation Film O English Producer: Bhimsain
Director: Kireet Khurana
Animator: Kireet Khurana
10,000/- Each
Citation: For succinctly and with humor showing that acquisitions can become a burden and only after this load is cast off that human beings become happy like children.
Best Short Fiction Film The Rebel Hindi Producer: John Shankarmangalam
Director: Rajashree
10,000/- Each
Citation: For showing an adolescent's journey to maturity and his coming to terms with his mother.
Best Film on Family Welfare Soch Samajh Ke Hindi Producer: Shanta Gokhle and Arun Khopkar
Director: Arun Khopkar
10,000/- Each
Citation: For presenting aesthetically how family welfare could be achieved despite complex family relationships.
Best Cinematography Tarana Hindi Cameraman: Rafey Mehmood
Laboratory Processing: Adlabs
10,000/- Each
Citation: For the beautiful images achieved through fascinating camera movements, excellent lighting, composition in tandem with music.
Best Audiography Tatva Hindi Shyam Sunder 10,000/-
Citation: For the creative use of sound to interpret the theme of the film.
Best Editing Kutravali and Oodaha Tamil B. Lenin and V. T. Vijayan 10,000/-
Citation: For rhythmic pace in relation to the appropriate mood of both the films.
Best Music Direction Amrit Beeja English and Kannada Shubha Mudgal 10,000/-
Citation: For providing suitable support with a mix of classical and folk music.
Special Jury Award Sona Maati Marwari Sehjo Singh (Producer) 10,000/-
Citation: For presenting an excellent, inspiring portrait of a woman peasant who is leading the struggle of women against land grabbing.
Special Mention Ajit Hindi Arvind Singh (Director) Certificate Only
Citation: For his sensitive portrayal of migrant child labour.
Ithihasathile Khasak English and Malayalam Rashmi Film Society (Producer)
Citation: For its brave attempt to interpret a literary work, cinematically.
Majhi Bengali Biswadeb Dasgupta (Producer and Director)
Citation: For presenting with sincerity that human values ultimately triumph.

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 Aruna Vasudev was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:[1]

  • Jury Members
    • Aruna Vasudev (Chairperson) • Vinod Tiwari • Rangarajan (Sujata)

Golden Lotus Award

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Official Name: Swarna Kamal[1]

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 Marathi Cinema: In Retrospect English Author: Sanjit Narwekar
Publisher: Govind Swarup
15,000/- Each
Citation: For thoroughly researched and well written history of Marathi cinema from the silent era to the present. The text is combined with photographs in such a way as to make the book as visually pleasing as it is valuable as a reference book.
Best Film Critic English and Malayalam M. C. Raja Narayanan 15,000/-
Citation: For his well written and analytical articles on both World cinema and the works of Indian directors. He writes with rare fluency in Malayalam and in English offering perceptive insights in a direct and readable style.

Special Mention

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

Name of Award Name of Book Language Awardee(s) Cash Prize
Special Mention (Book on Cinema) Alanti Chalanchitram Telugu K. N. T. Sastry Certificate Only
Citation: For his chronological and valuable accounts of the significant films produced in the first 25 years of Telugu cinema.
Cinemachi Chittarkatha Marathi Ashok Rane
Citation: For his comprehensive introduction to World cinema for Marathi readers.

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]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  2. ^ "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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