60th National Film Awards

The 60th Indian National Film Awards were announced today, and a number of Southern films picked up awards.

Kamal Haasan’s "Vishwaroopam" received two awards, Best Art Direction (Ilayaraja) and Best Choreography (Pandit Birju Maharaj). Click here to see the legendary Kathak dancer Pt. Birju Maharaj in action during the making of "Unnai Kaanadhu Naan" from "Vishwaroopam". Playback singer Shankar Mahadevan has provided his vocals for this song, but it was for "Bolo Na" from the film "Chittagong" that received the Best Male Playback Singer award.

Bala’s "Paradesi" picked up Best Costume Designer (Poornima Ramasamy), and best regional language movie in Tamil cinema went to "Vazhakku En 18/9", which also picked up best make-up artist (Raja). Telugu film "Eega" won Best Telugu Film and Best Visual Effects. 

The Malayalam scene won a number of categories, with the film "101 Chodiyangal" receiving the Indira Gandhi award for the Best Debut Film of a Director, shared with Hindi film "Chittagong". Kalpana picked up Best Supporting actress for her role in the Malayalam film "ThanichallaNjan", and Minon was named Best Child Artist for "101 Chodiyangal" along with "Dekh Indian Circus" star Virendra Pratap. Malayalam films "Spirit" and "Black Forest" were named Best Films on Social Issues and Environment, respectively. 

Best Dialogue went to "Ustad Hotel" (Malayalam), which shared the title of Best Popular Film  with Hindi film "Vicky Donor". 

Interestingly, India’s entry to the Oscars, "Barfi", missed out in these awards!

Congratulations to all the winners!