The selection process started by announcing the invitation for the awards on 18 March 2011.[3] For feature and non-feature films, all the films certified by Central Board of Film Certification, India between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010 were made eligible whereas for the best writing on cinema, all the books and articles as well reviews on Indian cinema published between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010 were made eligible for the awards.[4]
Three different committees were instituted in order to judge the various entries for feature film, non-feature film and best writing on cinema sections; headed by J. P. Dutta, for feature films and A. K. Bir along with Ashok Vajpeyi for non-feature films and best writing on cinema sections, respectively. Another committee of five members was also constituted for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, having included two past Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient, Shyam Benegal and Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Each chairperson for feature film, non-feature film and best writing on cinema sections announced the award on 19 May 2011[5][6] for their respective sections and award ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi with President of India, Pratibha Patil giving away the awards on 9 September 2011.[7][8]
Awards
Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The award is given to a prominent personality from the Indian film industry for their contribution.
Juries
A committee consisting five eminent personalities from Indian film industry was appointed to evaluate the lifetime achievement award, Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Following were the jury members:[1]
Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a feature film or featurette are eligible for Feature Film section.
A committee headed by J. P. Dutta was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. The selection process returned to a Two Tier System of Selection. The Chairperson for the Northern Region was Nirad N. Mohapatra, for the Western Region, Chandraprakash Dwivedi, for South–I Region, Arunoday Sharma, for the Eastern Region, J. F. C. Durai and for South- II Region, Ansu Ranjan Sur. Following were the jury members:[1]
Citation:For a simple yet evocative articulation of humanist values that liberates matters of faith from the constrictions of narrow parochialism. The concerns of Abu, son of Adam, are timeless and universal in their scope and appeal.
Citation:For narrating a riveting tale of a father reluctant to educate his son, a mother who fiercely believes in its liberatory value of education, and the son who is caught in the crossfire. ‘Baboo’ is an outstanding debut project by director.
Citation:For narrating with panache and a realistic cinematic grammar, a gritty tale of love, jealousy and betrayal in the midst of blood-sport and violence.
Citation:For celebrating the union of the human spirit with the divine, and realizing the inner, mystical dimension through the life and song of one of the foremost mystic minstrels from Bengal, a Sufi poet in the Baul tradition.
Citation:For a soul-stirring saga of two young brothers located in a world of deprivation, forced to fend each other and their mother even as their thirst for education surpasses the pangs of hunger.
Producer: Basanta Kumar Patil Director: P. Sheshadri
₹ 1,50,000/- Each
Citation:For the charming narrative of an old couple as they bravely harness the wilderness to nurture their young plantation, and yearn for the return of their only son.
Citation:For the sensitive portrayal of an aged widow who challenges orthodoxy when crippling ritualistic restrictions are imposed upon her widowed teenaged granddaughter.
Citation:For performing with shining eyes and an urchin smile, the razor sharp spirit of a survivor who dreams of excellence.
Champions
Marathi
• Shantanu Ranganekar • Machindra Gadkar
Citation:For their realistic portrayal of two gutsy brothers bonded by blood and responsibility, battling for survival in the underbelly of a heartless city.
Citation:For the visual poetry that augments and reinforces the concern of the narrative and for unfolding the infinite vistas of nascent digital technology in the visual medium.
Citation:For retaining the concerns and values of a biographical account even while translating it into the cinematic medium and honouring the essence of the original.
Citation:For imaprting a subliminal experience to the viewer through a sound design that weaves a rich tapestry of auditory perception as it rides in tandem with the visual abstraction in this cinematic creation.
Citation:For integrating the various components of sound design effectively so as to deliver a near-tactile experience that is at once real and artistic.
Citation:For the subliminal impact created by the use of montage so as to bring to the fore the thematic concerns of the narrative in a holistic manner.
Citation:For bringing of age a spectrum of visual special effects in Indian cinema and thereby carving out a niche segment for the practitioners of this art form on the global map.
Citation:For a powerful cinematic rendition of the epic journey of a living person, an abandoned woman who refused to become a victim of circumstance and who, in the process of realising her inner potential, transformed her life as well as but also the lives of innumerable others.
Citation:Breaking fresh ground in recognising the creative fountain-head-the creator of the story- the jury pays tribute to a literary giant and author of novella Bettada Jeeva, the late Shivaram Karanth. The jury also salutes his invaluable association with the world of Indian Cinema as an ingenious practitioner of the art form.
Citation:For his portrayal of the patriarch of a cock-fighting clan who, with a face seemingly carved in teak and leather, watches helplessly the disintegration of his power and authority.
Regional Awards
The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India.[1][2][5]
Producer: New Theatres Pvt. Ltd Director: Sonmath Gupta
₹ 1,00,000/- Each
Citation:For the subtle portrayal of an endearing love story in the time of cultural conflicts. It is a sincere attempt to present the personal tragedy of the emigrant commoner caught in the crossfire of international wars.
Citation:For an entertaining narrative that brings to the fore the struggle of a school teacher who is torn between maintaining his integrity and the lure of a little more comfort.
Citation:For a persuasive articulation of a topical social issue where in the name of development, land is appropriated and people are displaced as a consequence.
Citation:For a spiritually uplifting narrative in which a doctor journeys through unfamiliar landscapes to fulfill his promise to a dying mother and in the process overcomes personal grief to find his salvation as a man of virtue.
Citation:For an emotional presentation of the story of a surrogate mother who is torn between love and sacrifice for the child and the need to sacrifice that bond of his well-being.
Citation:For the effective exploration of a bereaved mother’s coming to terms with the fact of her son’s sexual identity.
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]
Citation:Through abstract visualisation and endearing black and white tones, the film depicts the human existence, afflicted by cancer, in a very sublime and somber tone. Along with the perception and growth, from child to youth and by the curious collection of thrown passport photographs, the film maker presents the changing perspective of the vision of the modern growing world in a very engaging manner.
Citation:For intelligent articulation of a shared urban angst in a powerful cinematic style and well constructed mise-en-scene. The maturity of the director is reflected in the balanced approach to all the elements that blend to create an impression in the viewers mind.
Citation:For a delightful exposition of the poignant life of a poverty-stricken child, who nurtures a dream of embracing the source of learning through education, with simplicity and fluency. The director portrays the spirit of adventure of the child, through fine performances.
Citation:For an insightful foray into the complex and layered life of a 'song' and all that it carries within it for a community. It inquires into the shared critical history of a community in the specific context of an overarching missionary presence and how it has affected their lives. The jury appreciates it for the courageous, yet poetic exploration of the subject from the ethnographic perspective.
Citation:For an intimate portrayal of the inimitable Sunanda Patnaik, whose life is inseparable from contemporary Indian classical music. The film explores the inner spirit of the artist through evocative moments, pregnant with visual passages.
Citation:For an emotive and enthralling exposition of the passion and dedication of a group, bound by the spirit of music, who transcend the commercial boundary to embrace their original creative flair. Without compromising, the group led to the adventure with courage and guts. The film maker has journeyed through this adventure with dramatic sensibility and compassion.
Producer: Rotary Club of Imphal Director: Bachaspatimayum Sunzu
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For a very well constructed reality with an engaging dramatic sensibility, that depicts the grimness of natural health maladies. It guides the viewer through emotions and playful spirit of the child. With the help of medical science, it enlightens the viewer with awareness of Congenital Heart Defect and its promising treatment.
Producer: Meghnath Bhattacharjee Director: Biju Toppo and Meghnath Bhattacharjee
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For the film which is well documented with a forthright exposition of the grievous impact of pollution due to sponge iron industry on the inhabitants dwelling around that area. With clarity and veracity, the film maker is able to express empathy and concern on the acute prevailing problem over human existence.
Producer: Meghnath Bhattacharjee Director: Biju Toppo and Meghnath Bhattacharjee
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For a succinct and well researched film looking closely at an innovation applied effectively in the farming of rice. The film engages successfully with the issue and makes a strong case for the promotion of the practice called "Ek Ropa Dhan".
Citation:To cross the line of limit, becomes an issue of indifference. Along this line, the documentary projects the serious social issue of human trafficking in a very thought provoking manner through stark and gravitating images. It airs an intriguing atmosphere of concerns through dramatised and realistic imageries.
Producer: K. Vijaypal Reddy Director: Pradeep Maadugula
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For the documentary which exposes the human apathy of class difference through casteism in a very evoking and natural style. Through fun-filled situations and distressing moments, the director portrays the anguished and tragic aspects of casteism effecting human value and relationship.
Citation:For a sensitive portrayal of young aspiring talents in a country where sports as passion/ profession comes up against heavy social odds and family biases. The jury applauds the film for the restrained and elevating treatment of a crucial subject underlining the silent dignity of the characters involved.
Citation:For the pet detective in a reverse act, an emotive documentary exposing not only stories of cruel impact of pest control on human health but also arrests out attention to a more fundamental question – who is a pest ?.
Citation:With energy and vigour, the documentary records very interesting images of a group of young students, who are trying to relate, with ideology of freedom and the stifling authoritarian reality. In the process, the life is entangled with intrigues and doubts.
Citation:Explores and deconstructs the traditional and orthodox landscapes of love, sexuality and conjugal relationships and the dynamics of emerging sexual politics and value systems in contemporary India with clarity and insight laced with subtle humour.
Citation:For imaginative yet minimal, a balanced and evocative cinematography creates a character out of a city night atmosphere, setting the space and mood for the living characters in their journey beyond the real, nearing mythical.
Citation:For the abstract visualisation and endearing black &white tones are very effectively punctuated with fine editing, and in the process it maintains a very subtle and flowing rhythm and pace to carry forward the cinematic work.
Citation:For a seamless powerful narrative about the symbiotic intricate relationship, the tribals of Jharkhand have with their forests and their struggle for existence against mindless aggressive development and flawed conservation policies, told with empathy and sincerity.
Citation:For a heart warming portrayal of the woman Daya Bai, who trades along a challenging path in quest of truth. The director, delves into the spirit of the woman to understand the theology of liberation, with sincerity and intelligence.
The Zeliangrongs
Manipuri and English
Ronel Haobam (Director)
Citation:For a well researched endeavour to reflect a composite group of ethnic communities of common origin and socio-cultural back-ground, which highlights the rich cultural heritage and the tribes’ traditional way of life, which is on the brink of extinction.
Citation:For displaying, under distressing situation and harsh reality, Pistulya, the child protagonist, the authenticity with vibrant and emotive expression.
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 Ashok Vajpeyi was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:[1]
Citation:Here is a work of rigorous film scholarship which took the author to many lands and consumed many years of her life. Written in a clear lucid style, the book evokes a panoramic view of India that perhaps was through the eyes of several filmmakers of foreign origin. What adds an extra dimension to the book is the author’s narration of her own life in films even as she is engaged in telling the larger events on and off screen.
Citation:Joshy Joseph, essentially a filmmaker, proves to be an important critic as well, as he goes about writing on the most serious aspects of medium with wry humour and a lightness of touch that is difficult not to notice. His commitment to the documentary in particular sets him apart from many of those writing on cinema in this country.
Citation:Professor Chakravarthy’s writings on film and related arts are replete with profound insights into the human condition as well as the need for serious discourse on socio-cultural matters. His writings reveal the authority with which he can discuss the cinemas of the world, particularly his own Kannada cinema.
Special Mention
All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit.[1][2][5]
Citation:Often dismissed as a poor cousin of mainstream Hindi cinema, Bhojpuri cinema, however has many interesting cultural strains that Avijit Ghosh has laid bare. Any one conversant with life in North Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh, or in many lands far beyond, would recognise the importance of this 'subaltern' effort.
Citation:For a sincere attempt to analyse important developments in Tamil films. It also provides an insight into the classics of world cinema, highlighting their aesthetic values.
Awards not given
Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:[1][2][5]
With 58th National Film Awards, award certificate and medal went through a makeover. Award certificate layout as well as design was changed to include gold embossed "Ashok Stambh" (Emblem of India) on the A3 size certificate. Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) and Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) were also redesigned which included the display box for the medals as well.
