News India Times
April 8, 2016
24
Arts & Entertainment
– that’s all you need to know
By Shilpa Jamkhandikar
fantasy epic billed as
India’s most expensive
movie was named the
best film of 2015 at the
National Awards, while
Bollywood swept the acting and
directing honors in a rare tri-
umph for the Hindi film indus-
try.
“Baahubali”, a Telugu-lan-
guage film dubbed in Hindi,
captured the imagination of
audiences across India with its
top-notch special effects and
grossed nearly $90 million at the
global box office. A sequel is in
the works.
“So proud to be associated
with Baahubali … the national
award validation for truly the
best film of the year,” producer
Karan Johar, one of the film’s
distributors, tweeted on Monday
as the awards were announced.
Unsurprisingly, “Baahubali” also
won for best special effects.
Despite missing out on the
biggest prize, Bollywood stole
the show in the other top cate-
gories. Hindi films usually play
second fiddle to regional lan-
guage cinema at the National
Film Awards, but took centre
stage on Monday.
Amitabh Bachchan, arguably
India’s biggest star, was
adjudged the best actor for his
portrayal of a cantankerous old
man obsessed with bowel move-
ments in the film “Piku”.
The jury said Bachchan was
awarded his fourth national
award for his “delectable,
delightful performance as a man
who lets himself go at the age of
70.” Kangana Ranaut picked up
the best actress award for her
double role in the romance
“TanuWeds Manu Returns”.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known
for his period films and
grandiose sets, won the best
director prize for the historical
romance “Bajirao Mastani”. The
film also bagged prizes for cho-
reography, cinematography,
production design, sound
design and supporting actress
for Tanvi Azmi.
“Piku” and “TanuWeds Manu
Returns” shared honors for orig-
inal screenplay and dialogue,
while Vishal Bhardwaj won the
award for best adapted screen-
play for “Talvar”, based on a real-
life murder mystery.
Sharat Katariya’s “Dum Laga
Ke Haisha” was adjudged the
best Hindi film, while Neeraj
Ghaywan won for best directori-
al debut in “Masaan”, a love
story set inVaranasi that
charmed Cannes audiences last
year.
Salman Khan’s “Bajrangi
Bhaijaan”, India’s biggest box
office hit of 2015, bagged the
award for best film providing
popular entertainment.
The National Film Awards will
be presented at a ceremony later
this year by President Pranab
Mukherjee.
– Reuters
India’s 63rd National Film Awards
A
– CHENNAI
A
ctor Prabhas is over-
whelmed with the
National Film
Award honors for S.S.
Rajamouli’s magnum
opus “Baahubali: The
Beginning”.
The film bagged
two honours includ-
ing Best Feature Film
at the 63rd National
Awards, which were
announced in New
Delhi on Monday.
“It is overwhelming that
‘Baahubali’ has been recog-
nized as the Best Film at the
National Awards,” Prabhas said
in a statement. “Playing the
role of Baahubali was one of
the most special things of my
career. I’m very
thankful to Rajamouli
sir to have the faith in
me to play such an
important part of the
film,” he said.
“Baahubali”, which
raked in over Rs. 600
crore via its theatrical
release, is the story of
two brothers warring
for the ownership of a
kingdom. The film also starred
Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah
Bhatia and Anushka Shetty.
– IANS
Overwhelmed by National
Award For ‘Baahubali’: Prabhas
‘Baahubali’ & Bollywood
