The Hindu : Front Page : 'Shwaas' adjudged the best film

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 15, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

'Shwaas' adjudged the best film

By Our Staff Reporter

Gautam Ghosh

NEW DELHI, AUG. 14. They may be short of experience, but the "young and restless" rule this year's National Film Awards, with first time directors walking away with a major chunk of the country's most prestigious award for excellence in film-making.

Vikram

While debutant director Sandeep Sawant's Marathi flick `Shwaas' bagged the Swarna Kamal for the best feature film award, it was Munna Bhai's magic in Raj Kumar Hirani's `Munnabhai MBBS' that swept the award for the best film providing wholesome entertainment.

Meera Jasmine

Gautam Ghosh's `Abar Aranye' won him the award for best direction, with Tamil film star Vikram winning the best actor award for his powerful performance in `Pithamagan' and Meera Jasmine bagging the best actress award for her "sustained and subtle portrayal of a young girl trapped in an early polyandry marriage" in the Malayalam film `Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam.'

Supporting actors

Pankaj Kapoor won the best supporting actor award for his "rivetting yet understated performance" in `Maqbool' and Sharmila Tagore the award for best supporting actress for her graceful handling of social and personal relationships in `Abar Aranye'.