The selection process of 52nd National Film Awards began with the constitution of three Juries for feature film, non-feature film and best writing on cinema sections. The renowned filmmaker Sudhir Mishra headed the feature film Jury, which had sixteen other members. Cinematographer and Director A. K. Bir headed the seven-member non-feature film Jury. The Jury for best writing on cinema was headed by veteran film critic and former editor of Screen and Filmfare from Mumbai, Rauf Ahmed.[2]
Awards were announced by each committee chairpersons on 13 July 2005. Award ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 21 October 2005 and awards were given by then President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.[3]
For 52nd National Film Awards, 107 feature films participated along with 118 non-feature films and 22 books on cinema in 9 Indian languages.[2]
Awards
Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema.
Citation:The film is phantasanagonic story of a boy whose dreams start coming true suddenly. All hell breaks loose when a Nautanki comes to village to play Mahabharata and suddenly its story changes. The warring Kaurvas and Pandavas bury their differences and become friends even before the war has begun.
Citation:For his appropriate usage of metaphors and complex handling of socio political situation present in West Bengal in a language simultaneously cinematic and poetic.
Citation:Netaji is one of the most controversial and colourful figures of modern Indian history. His struggle to fight the Britishers and bring the Indians together to do this. The idealistic dreamer turns into a revolutionary to achieve his goal. The film effectively brings alive the era.
Citation:The film deals with a social evil of family planning in a Muslim community. The story of women and her children deserted by a drunkard husband is handled in a unique and subtle way.
Citation:For its deft handling of a complex, sensitive issue in a very sensitive manner. The central characters in the film reflect the traditional virtues of the Indian women, such as self-sacrifice, endurance and forgiveness, to bring two communities together.
Citation:In this chaotic world, when every body talks about the importance of environment, conservation and preservation but no body cares to learn from the wisdom of myth created by our forefathers and create a space for every mind to realise its potential without judging, discriminating or condemning.
Citation:For her powerful portrayal of a young Muslim wife boldly questioning the traditional laws of her community. Her ability to convey the range of various moods through her performance in a forceful manner is appreciated.
Citation:For telling a complex story in a stunningly simple manner. It takes you into the empty shallow world of Page 3, in a manner which is funny yet deeply empathetic.
Citation:For the crisp cutting which gives a finesse to the film and the successfully sustains the tempo of the film and mood and emotion while never losing the narrative.
Citation:For the songs that are composed as per the situation and enrich the theme of the film. From the beginning to the end he has maintained traditional classical music and used Indian acoustic instruments thus bringing out the colour and flavor of Indian music.
Citation:For its innovative style of handling a girl’s search for her identity and her encounter with a scarred society.
Non-Feature Films
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
A committee headed by A. K. Bir was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:[1][2]
Jury Members
A. K. Bir (Chairperson) • Kadambari Chintamani • Vasiraju Prakasam • Sudhish Gopalakrishnan • Supriyo Sen • Prasann Jain • Pushpesh Pant
Citation:For handling the simple and delicate relationship between ordinary human beings in a very profound evocative and enterprising manner, within a commercialised compulsive atmosphere.
Citation:For presenting the glorious history of Prabhat Film Company in a very engaging and fascinating manner through excellent compilation of the excerpts of some of the renowned old films of the company.
Citation:For venturing to explore the most enigmatic creature, very scientific and analytic manner effectively urging mankind to conserve this unique species.
Citation:For capturing the cruelty of fisher-man over harmless sea-creature, the whale shark, along the Gujarat coast, with a fine insight and bravado, which could bring transformation to the ignorance of the fisherfock's mindless slaughter.
Producer: Action Aid India, Bhubaneshwar Director: Rupashree Nanda
₹ 10,000/- Each
Citation:For portraying the apathy and the hardships of drought effected villagers from Bolangir District, and their struggle to survive under an atmosphere of compulsive exploitation in excellent investigative and poignant style.
Citation:For depicting the emotional journey of a child and his experience and awareness of the social conditions through an excellent technique of animation.
Citation:For documenting with apathy of the drought stricken villagers, by fluent and flowing editing style, keeping the interest on the subject, very engaging.
Citation:For communicates the nostalgic journey of the Chinese community in Calcutta through a moving narration, complying with the harmonious pace of the film.
Citation:For evolving an experimental form of narration within a story form, with excellent special visual effects in an innovative style.
Best Writing on Cinema
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
A committee headed by Rauf Ahmed was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:[1]
Jury Members
Rauf Ahmed (Chairperson) • Utpal Borpujari • Shoma A. Chatterji
Citation:For giving a rare, fascinating insight into the lives of people on the fringes of the film industry whose contribution to cinema is no less significant. The work is marked by painstaking research and incisive analysis that does not alienate the average cinema lover.
Citation:For consistently maintaining a high standard of film evaluation at a time when reviews are tending to become a public relations exercise. Her writings reveal a sound grasp of all aspects of film-making.
Awards not given
Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:[1]
