The 42nd National Film Awards, held in 1995, celebrated the outstanding achievements in Indian cinema. These awards recognized the excellence and innovation in various categories, including feature films, non-feature films, and contributions to the world of cinema through writing and criticism. The event also honored the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement.
About
The National Film Awards, presented annually by the Government of India, are one of the most esteemed honors in the Indian film industry. These awards acknowledge and appreciate the artistic and technical brilliance of filmmakers, actors, and other professionals who contribute to the world of cinema.
Award Categories
Here are some of the prominent award categories and their respective winners for the 42nd National Film Awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: This award is the highest honor in Indian cinema and was presented to Dilip Kumar, a legendary actor. He received the prestigious Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of ₹ 100,000, and a shawl.
Feature Films
Feature films were recognized at both the All India and regional levels, with multiple awards for various categories. Here are some of the notable awards:
All India Award
Golden Lotus Award
- Best Feature Film: Unishe April (Bengali)
- Producer: Renu Roy
- Director: Rituparno Ghosh
- Cash Prize: ₹ 50,000/-
- Citation: Awarded for a complex and impeccable portrayal of fragmenting family relationships in urban India. The film delves into the intricacies of the bond between a mother and daughter, creating a drama immaculately constructed.
Best Debut Film of A Director
- Mogha Mull (Tamil)
- Producer: J. Dharmambal
- Director: Gnana Rajasekaran
- Cash Prize: ₹ 25,000/- Each
- Citation: Recognized for translating a literary work of art into cinema, integrating music with a melodramatic narrative, and exhibiting cinematic simplicity matched with remarkable directorial control.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (Hindi)
- Producer: Rajshri Productions
- Director: Sooraj R. Barjatya
- Cash Prize: ₹ 40,000/-
- Citation: Honored for revolutionizing mass entertainment in India with a family entertainer and a fantasy film that succeeds without relying on familiar narrative idioms of violence.
Best Children’s Film
- Kochaniyan (Malayalam)
- Producer: Bushura Shahudeen
- Director: Sathieesh Vengannoor
- Cash Prize: ₹ 30,000/-
- Citation: Praised for its simple yet effective portrayal of a middle-class Kerala family through the experiences and dreams of a young boy.
- Abhay (Hindi)
- Producer: National Center of Films for Children and Young People
- Director: Annu Kapoor
- Cash Prize: ₹ 30,000/-
- Citation: Acknowledged as an entertaining film advocating humane love between a child and a ghost while promoting a rational outlook on life.
Best Direction
- Xagoroloi Bohudoor (Assamese)
- Director: Jahnu Barua
- Cash Prize: ₹ 50,000/-
- Citation: Celebrated for capturing Assamese life and reality in an original format uniquely associated with the director and for enriching the spectrum of Indian Cinema thereby.
Silver Lotus Award
- Best Feature Film on National Integration: Mukta (Marathi)
- Producer: Ashok B. Mhatre
- Director: Jabbar Patel
- Cash Prize: ₹ 30,000/-
- Citation: Recognized for mapping a sharply defined dramatic style onto the canvas of national caste oppression and universalizing the alliances of the Indian Dalit people.
This list provides just a glimpse of the outstanding achievements recognized at the 42nd National Film Awards. The awards span various categories and languages, reflecting the diversity and excellence of Indian cinema.
Winners Table
Here’s a comprehensive list of the winners in various award categories:
| Category | Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Unishe April | Bengali | Producer: Renu Roy | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Director: Rituparno Ghosh | ₹ 25,000/- | |||
| Best Debut Film of A Director | Mogha Mull | Tamil | Producer: J. Dharmambal | ₹ 25,000/- Each |
| Director: Gnana Rajasekaran | ₹ 25,000/- Each | |||
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! | Hindi | Producer: Rajshri Productions | ₹ 40,000/- |
| Director: Sooraj R. Barjatya | ₹ 20,000/- | |||
| Best Children’s Film | Kochaniyan | Malayalam | Producer: Bushura Shahudeen | ₹ 30,000/- |
| Director: Sathieesh Vengannoor | ₹ 15,000/- | |||
| Abhay | Hindi | Producer: National Center of Films for Children and Young People | ₹ 30,000/- | |
| Director: Annu Kapoor | ₹ 15,000/- | |||
| Best Direction | Xagoroloi Bohudoor | Assamese | Jahnu Barua | ₹ 50,000/- |
| Best Feature Film on National Integration | Mukta | Marathi | Producer: Ashok B. Mhatre | ₹ 30,000/- |
| Director: Jabbar Patel | ₹ 15,000/- |
The 42nd National Film Awards celebrated the outstanding contributions of filmmakers, actors, and other talented professionals in the Indian film industry. These awards recognized excellence in a wide range of categories, highlighting the rich diversity of Indian cinema.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honor in Indian cinema, presented for lifetime achievement in the film industry. It is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, who is considered the father of Indian cinema.
Q2: How are the National Film Awards determined?
- The National Film Awards are determined by a jury appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals, which operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The jury evaluates films and selects winners based on their artistic and technical merits.
Q3: What is the significance of the National Film Awards?
- The National Film Awards are highly prestigious in the Indian film industry. They recognize and celebrate excellence in filmmaking, acting, and other aspects of cinema, promoting and encouraging the highest standards in Indian cinema.
Q4: Can films in regional languages win National Film Awards?
- Yes, films in regional languages are eligible to win National Film Awards. In fact, there are specific categories for recognizing the best films in various Indian languages, highlighting the cultural diversity of the country.
Q5: Are there any cash prizes associated with National Film Awards?
- Yes, along with the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) and Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) awards, cash prizes are presented to the winners in various categories as a token of appreciation for their exceptional contributions to Indian cinema.
The 42nd National Film Awards of 1995 showcased the remarkable talent and creativity in Indian cinema, honoring films that touched hearts and left an indelible mark on the industry.
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