53rd National Film Awards
The 53rd National Film Awards, presented by Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in the year 2005.
| 53rd National Film Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Best of Indian cinema in 2005 |
| Awarded by | Directorate of Film Festivals |
| Presented by | Pratibha Patil (President of India) |
| Announced on | 7 August 2007 |
| Presented on | 14 September 2007 |
| Site | Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi |
| Official website | dff |
| Highlights | |
| Best Feature Film | Kaalpurush |
| Best Non-Feature Film | Riding Solo to the Top of the World |
| Best Book | Kundan |
| Best Film Critic | Baradwaj Rangan |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Shyam Benegal |
| Most awards | Rang De Basanti (4) |
The selection process of 53rd National Film Awards began with the constitution of three Juries for feature film, non-feature film and best writing on cinema sections, which were declared on 28 July 2006. B. Saroja Devi, an yesteryear's actress, headed the feature film Jury, which had eleven other members. A documentary maker and Indian television personality Siddharth Kak headed the six-member non-feature film Jury. The Jury for best writing on cinema was headed by veteran film critic Khalid Mohamed.
The final announcement of awards was much delayed due to various controversies associated with them. Actual announcement was done almost after the 14th months of its expected announcement, after Delhi High Court gave green signal to announce the awards in all categories. Awards were scheduled to be declared on 12 May 2006.
Awards were announced by each committee chairpersons on 7 August 2007 and ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 14 September 2007 and awards were given President of India, Pratibha Patil. It was also announced that prize money would be increased by five times and more categories would be added from next year.