39th National Film Awards

39th National Film Awards
Awarded for	Best of Indian cinema in 1991
Awarded by	Directorate of Film Festivals
Presented by	R. Venkataraman (President of India)
Announced on	April 8, 1992 (1992-04-08)
Presented on	May 6, 1992 (1992-05-06)
Site	Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi
Official website	dff.nic.in
Highlights
Best Feature Film	Agantuk
Best Non-Feature Film	Sons of Abotani: The Misings
Best Book	Athmanindayude Pookal (Flowers of Self-Condemnation)
Best Film Critic	Gautam Kaul
Dadasaheb Phalke Award	Bhalji Pendharkar
Most awards	• Agantuk  • Bharatham  • Dharavi (3)
← 38th National Film Awards 40th →

The 39th 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 1991.^[1] Ceremony took place in 1992.

With 39th National Film Awards, two new awards were introduced for feature films section. These awards includes National Film Award for Best Special Effects and National Film Award for Best Choreography and awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus). These two newly introduced awards were not given for 39th National Film Awards as no film/entry was found to be suitable.

Also for Best Writing on Cinema, Best Film Critic is awarded with Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus), which was till then awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus).

Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema.

Name of Award	Image	Awardee(s)	Awarded As	Awards
Dadasaheb Phalke Award		Bhalji Pendharkar	Film director, Film producer and screenwriter	Swarna Kamal, ₹ 100,000 and a Shawl

Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 39th National Film Awards, a Bengali film, Agantuk won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film also winning the maximum number of awards (3) along with a Malayalam film, Bharatham and a Hindi film, Dharavi. Following were the awards given in each category:^[1]

A committee headed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. Following were the jury members:^[1]

• Jury Members
  • Adoor Gopalakrishnan (Chairperson) • Aamir Raza Husain • Ashish Saraf • Firooze Rangoonwala • Gummadi • Hema Chaudhary • R. Lakshman • Lalitha Ravee • Nabyendu Chatterjee • Nityananda Samntaray • P. Madhavan • Prafulla Saikia • P. R. S. Pillay • Raja Mitra • Sreekumaran Thampi • Urvashi Talwar • Vinod Nagpal

Following were the awards given:^[1]

Official Name: Swarna Kamal^[1]

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Name of Award	Name of Film	Language	Awardee(s)	Cash Prize
Best Feature Film	Agantuk	Bengali	Producer: NFDC	₹ 50,000/-
			director: Satyajit Ray	₹ 25,000/-
	Citation: For its masterly treatment of an unusual subject investing it with humour, suspense and drama accomplishing remarkable insight into human behaviour.
Best Direction	Agantuk	Bengali	Satyajit Ray	₹ 50,000/-
	Citation: For the outstanding craftsmanship and the command over the language of cinema he employed in creating a remarkable cinematic experience.
Best Debut Film of a Director	Haladhar	Assamese	Producer: Geeti Barua and Dwijen Hazorika Director: Sanjeev Hazorika	₹ 25,000/- Each
	Citation: For its freshness of approach, the subtlety of its pervasive humour and the courage shown in choosing to build a film around a plough.
Best Children's Film	Abhayam	Malayalam	Producer: Children's Film Society	₹ 30,000/-
			Director: Sivan	₹ 15,000/-
	Citation: For its outstanding qualities as a film that entertains children and adults alike.

Official Name: Rajat Kamal^[1]

All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Name of Award	Name of Film	Language	Awardee(s)	Cash Prize
Second Best Feature Film	Firingoti	Assamese	Producer: Sailadhar Baruah and Jahnu Barua	₹ 30,000/-
			Director: Jahnu Barua	₹ 15,000/-
	Citation: For its artistic excellence and for the effective use of the medium for portraying a theme of immense social relevance.
Best Screenplay	Kadavu	Malayalam	M. T. Vasudevan Nair	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For its sensitive and poetic treatment of disillusionment of an underprivileged adolescent.
Best Cinematography	Aadi Mimansa	Oriya	Cameraman: Apurba Kishore Bir Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratories	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For achieving high degree of accomplishment in painting the film with light, imparting a sensuous quality to the texture and feel of the film.
Best Audiography	Rukmavati Ki Haveli	Hindi	• Ajay Munjal  • A. M. Padmanabhan	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the quality and effectiveness of sound in contributing to the ambience of stark oppression that pervades the film.
Best Editing	Dharavi	Hindi	Renu Saluja	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For achieving right timing and rhythm, with the dexterous juxtaposition of sound and visuals.
Best Art Direction	Rukmavati Ki Haveli	Hindi	Samir Chanda	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For creating an authentic and real setting, matching the mood and manner of the film.
Best Music Direction	Dharavi	Hindi	Rajat Dholakia	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For using music as an integral part of the film structure, furthering the meaning and dimensions of the theme.
Best Costume Design	Lamhe	Hindi	• Neeta Lulla  • Kachins  • Leena Daru	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For faithfully recreating the colour, variety and richness of the dresses worn in Rajasthan.
Best Actor	Bharatham	Malayalam	Mohanlal	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For his range as an actor as well as the restraint he applied in the portrayal of the much misunderstood musician.
Best Actress	Firingoti	Assamese	Moloya Goswami	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the subtle and natural portral of a teacher who overcomes the trauma of her personal life and dedicates herself to the pursuit of a noble mission.
Best Supporting Actor	Yagnam	Telugu	P. L. Narayana	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For convincing portrayal of the oppressed farmer.
Best Supporting Actress	Yamanam	Malayalam	Santha Devi	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For her work in the film, who lives the role of the understanding and tormented mother.
Best Child Artist	Bhadram Koduko	Telugu	Santhosh Reddy	₹ 5,000/-
	Citation: For giving a natural performance of a street-smart child.
Best Male Playback Singer	Bharatham	Malayalam	K. J. Yesudas	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the mellifluous and masterful rendering of songs in the classical style.
Best Female Playback Singer	Swathi Kiranam ("Aanati Neeyaraa")	Telugu	Vani Jairam	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the texture and clarity of her voice, which enlivened the classical song sung for the child prodigy.
Best Lyrics	Mysooru Mallige	Kannada	K. S. Narasimhaswamy	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the depth and poetic quality of the lyrics.
Best Feature Film on National Integration	Aadi Mimansa	Oriya	Producer: Apurba Kishore Bir	₹ 30,000/-
			Director: Apurba Kishore Bir	₹ 15,000/-
	Citation: For its strong appeal for integration and upholding of human values brought about through a remarkbly understated treatment of incidents from everyday life.
Best Film on Family Welfare	Durga	Hindi	Producer: NFDC	₹ 30,000/-
			Director: Basu Chatterjee	₹ 15,000/-
	Citation: For the skilful way in which the message of small family norm is communicated.
Best Film on Other Social Issues	Yamanam	Malayalam	Producer: Ajayan Varicolil	₹ 30,000/-
			Director: Bharath Gopi	₹ 15,000/-
	Citation: For advocating the cause of physically handicapped and upholding their right to be on their own, in a world that is more generous with its sympathy than understanding.
Special Jury Award	Antardhan	Bengali	Soumitra Chatterjee (Actor)	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For his outstanding screen performances, especially in the films of Satyajit Ray.
Special Mention	Agantuk	Bengali	Mamata Shankar (Actress)	Certificate Only
	Citation: For her performance as the housewife.
	Bharatham	Malayalam	Raveendran (Music director)
	Citation: For the quality of music composed for the song.

The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India.^[1]

Name of Award	Name of Film	Awardee(s)	Cash Prize
Best Feature Film in Assamese	Sarothi	Producer: Bhabendra Nath Saikia	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: Bhabendra Nath Saikia	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the suggestive and sympathetic portrayal of the breadwinner of a middle-class family who stands alone and isolated even in his own home.
Best Feature Film in Bengali	Antardhan	Producer: Nabakumar Chandra, Swapan Kumar Mitra and Sucheta Mitra	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: Tapan Sinha	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the manner in which the suspense is built and sustained throughout the film.
Best Feature Film in Hindi	Diksha	Producer: NFDC and Doordarshan	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: Arun Kaul	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the impressive treatment of a relevant social theme.
	Dharavi	Producer: NFDC and Doordarshan	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: Sudhir Mishra	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For its affirmation of the indefatigable human spirit of survival.
Best Feature Film in Kannada	Mysooru Mallige	Producer: Srihari L. Khode	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: T. S. Nagabharana	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the bold attempt in conceiving and structuring a film stringing together poems written by the renowned Kannada poet K. S. Narasimhaswamy.
Best Feature Film in Malayalam	Kadavu	Producer: M. T. Vasudevan Nair	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: M. T. Vasudevan Nair	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For its simplicity of treatment in the delineation of rural life with a genuine feel for human values and relationships.
Best Feature Film in Oriya	Tara	Producer: Bijaya Jena	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: Bijaya Jena	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: Marked by its sincerity in truthfully portraying woman's search for her identity in a male dominated society.
Best Feature Film in Tamil	Vanna Vanna Pookkal	Producer: S. Thanu	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: Balu Mahendra	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the truthful and effective portrayal of juvenile romance ending in unexpected tragedy.
Best Feature Film in Telugu	Bhadram Koduko	Producer: V. Ramachandra Rao	₹ 20,000/-
		Director: Akkineni Kutumba Rao	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For effectively focussing attention on the need for providing protection to homeless children.

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.

A committee headed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:^[1]

• Jury Members
  • Buddhadeb Dasgupta (Chairperson) • Arun Kaul • Jag Mohan • Jehangir Chaudhary • Vijaya Mulay

Official Name: Swarna Kamal^[1]

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Name of Award	Name of Film	Language	Awardee(s)	Cash Prize
Best Non-Feature Film	Sons of Abotani: The Misings	Mishing	Producer: Dilip Doley Director: Gautam Bora	₹ 25,000/- Each
	Citation: For effectively portraying the life of tribe which lives on the banks of river Bramhaputra and its struggle to survive. The film is marked by its lyrical quality, serenity, sculpted sound and imaginative music.

Official Name: Rajat Kamal^[1]

All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)' and cash prize.

Name of Award	Name of Film	Language	Awardee(s)	Cash Prize
Best First Non-Feature Film	Kamlabai	Marathi, Hindi	Producer: Reena Mohan Director: Reena Mohan	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: The director has presented a sensitive and heartwarming portrait of a remarkable woman who was the first lady of the Indian screen and a versatile stage actress.
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film	The Valiant Ones	English	Producer: A. K. Balakrishnan Director: A. K. Balakrishnan	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For the competently presenting the traditional lifestyle of Kodagus, the distinctive community of Coorga in Karnataka.
Best Biographical Film	Bhavantarana	Oriya	Producer: Bombay Cinematograph Pvt. Ltd Director: Kumar Shahani	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For presenting the life and art of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra in distinct stylised manner.
	Kabitar Ananta Jatrapathe	Bengali	Producer: Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal Director: Sanat Kumar Dasgupta
	Citation: For imaginative visualisation of poetry of the late Jibananand Das and relating it to his life and time.
Best Arts / Cultural Film	Sanchari	English	Producer: Arun Khopkar Director: Arun Khopkar	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For memorable presentation of form and content of the Bharatnatyam dance through the exposition of Leela Samson's art, brilliantly synthesising dance and cinematographic language.
Best Scientific Film	Silent Valley – An Indian Rainforest	English	Producer: Eco Media Pvt. Ltd Director: Shekhar Dattari and Revati Mukherjee	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For its painstaking and inspiring presentation of the ecological heritage and the threat to the environment.
Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film	Mudialy Ekti Bikalpa Pantha (The Mudialy Alternative)	English	Producer: Dilip Kumar Roy Director: Samiran Dutta	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For faithfully presenting people's participation in improving and conserving the environment.
Best Promotional Film	Of Mines and Men	English	Producer: P. C. Sharma Director: Raghu Krishna	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For presenting the work of Indian Bureau of Mines in all its aspects including its concern for the environment in a competent manner.
Best Agricultural Film	Malberiyum Pattunoolum	Malayalam	Producer: Kerala State Film Development Corporation Director: P. P. Govindan	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For presenting sericulture through all its stages in pleasing and informative manner.
Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film	Anand Bhavan	English	Producer: V. B. Chandra Director: Yash Chaudhary	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For chronicling the history of the home of Nehrus in Allahabad as if told by the huge historic house in the first person.
Best Film on Social Issues	Eyes of Stone	Hindi, Marwari	Producer: Nilita Vachani Director: Nilita Vachani	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For portraying with sympathy and understanding the plight of the so-called possessed women.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film	A Story of Triumph	English	Producer: Poona District Leprosy Committee Director: Vishram Revankar	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For portraying human triumph over the disease of leprosy through the testimony of cured and rehabilitated patients.
Best Investigative Film	Bhagirathi Ki Pukaar	Hindi	Producer: Anwar Jamal Director: Anwar Jamal	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For the in-depth analysis of the impact of proposed Tehri Dam on the environment and the people affected by it.
Best Animation Film	Ballu Shah	Hindi	Producer: Children's Film Society Director: Rajesh Aggarwal Animator: S. M. Hasan	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For its humorous presentation of a traditional children's story done with imaginative animation and sound.
Best Short Fiction Film	Punaravritti	Hindi	Producer: Film and Television Institute of India Director: Imo Singh	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For delicating handling the loneliness and plight of an old woman who is forced to relive emotions because of her overprotective nature.
	Totanama	Hindi	Producer: Vikas Satwalekar Director: Chandita Mukherjee
	Citation: For its traditional style, narrative structure and good production values.
Best Film on Family Welfare	A Matter of Motherhood	English	Producer: Rajiv Mehrotra Director: Rajiv Mehrotra	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For its competent attempt to educate the people, especially in the rural areas, on various aspects of motherhood in the prevailing atmosphere of traditional beliefs.
Best Cinematography	Silent Valley – An Indian Rainforest	English	Cameraman: Shekar Dattari Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratories	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For the arduous and patient coverage of the flora and fauna of the Silent Valley in Kerala over a period of one-and-a-half years and for giving an intimate portrait of the environment, recorded under difficult conditions.
Best Audiography	Sons of Abotani: The Misings	Mishing	Anil Tendulkar and Gautam Bora	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the selective and imaginative use of commentary and dialogues and the sculpted sound which enriches the film.
Best Editing	Sanchari	English	Rajesh Parmar	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For his work, which beautifully creates a structure that responds to the rhythms of the dance.
Special Jury Award	Meitei Pung	English	Aribam Syam Sharma (director)	₹ 5,000/-
	Citation: For sensitively depicting the role that Pung, the traditional drum, plays in the Sankirtana and social life of Manipur.
	Akruti		B. Narsing Rao (Director)	₹ 5,000/-
	Citation: For experimentation with forms of boulders of various shapes and textures, brilliantly visualised by A. K. Bir with the evocative music of Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia.
Special Mention	Living on the Junk	English	Debal Basu (Director)	Certificate Only
	Citation: For his work in directing the film. The film is a sincere maiden effort in focussing attention on the significant contribution of ragpickers of a metropolis in minimising the treat to the environment from the junk of a consumerist society.

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.

A committee headed by Kamleshwar was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:^[1]

• Jury Members
  • Kamleshwar (Chairperson) • Shanta Sarbjeet Singh • Vijay Sasnur

Official Name: Swarna Kamal^[1]

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)' and cash prize.

Name of Award	Name of Book	Language	Awardee(s)	Cash Prize
Best Book on Cinema	Athmanindayude Pookal (Flowers of Self-Condemnation)	Malayalam	Author: Aravindan Vallachira Publisher: V. R. Pushpakaran	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For critical analysis of M. T. Vasudevan Nair's film. The book is an in-depth study of the complexity of human values and the interaction between social institutions and the individual.
Best Film Critic			Gautam Kaul	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the clarity and consistency with which he has written on a wide range of issues, creating a better understanding of cinema as a creative medium.

Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:^[1]

• National Film Awards Archives
• Official Page for Directorate of Film Festivals, India