A multi-lingual film that chronicles the flaws in India’s notoriously slow judicial system and its effect on ordinary citizens won the top prize at the 62ndNational Film Awards.
“Court” follows the tribulations of an ageing folk singer who is charged with abetting the murder of a sewage worker who has heard one of his songs. The film, which has already won accolades at international film festivals in places like Venice and Singapore, was praised by the jury for its “powerful and stark depiction of the mundaneness of judicial procedure”.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time, because we are releasing the film next month and this will help us tremendously. I am also really happy about the government’s stamp of approval. Now I know my film won’t be banned,” the film’s director, Chaitanya Tamhane, told Reuters over phone.
Kangana Ranaut won the best actress award for her portrayal of a jilted bride who finds her bearings on a solo trip to Europe in Vikas Bahl’s “Queen”. Ranaut had earlier won the best supporting actress honour in 2010 for her role in Madhur Bhandarkar’s “Fashion.”
Kannada actor Vijay won the best actor award for his “subtle and non-stereotypical portrayal of a woman trapped in a man’s body,” in the film Nanu Avanalla Avalu (I am not him, I am her). Srijit Mukherjee won the best director prize for his Bengali film “Chotushkone” (four corners) and Bobby Simha was adjudged best supporting actor for his role as a dreaded mafia don in the Tamil hit “Jigarthanda”.
Other prominent Bollywood winners included Omung Kumar’s biopic “Mary Kom”, which was selected as the most popular film, and Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Haider”, which bagged five awards including for best music and best dialogue.