45th National Film Awards

The 45th 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 1997.^[2] The awards were announced on 8 May 1998 and presented on 10 July 1998 by then President of India, K. R. Narayanan.

45th National Film Awards
Awarded for	Best of Indian cinema in 1997
Awarded by	Directorate of Film Festivals
Presented by	K. R. Narayanan (President of India)
Announced on	8 May 1998 (1998-05-08)[1]
Presented on	10 July 1998 (1998-07-10)
Site	Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Official website	dff.nic.in
Highlights
Best Feature Film	Thaayi Saheba
Best Non-Feature Film	Jataner Jami
Best Book	• Cinemachi Goshta  • Hindi Cinema Aur Delhi
Best Film Critic	Deepa Gahlot
Dadasaheb Phalke Award	Kavi Pradeep
Most awards	Thaayi Saheba (4)
← 44th National Film Awards 46th →

Awards

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

Lifetime Achievement Award

Name of Award	Image	Awardee(s)	Awarded As	Awards
Dadasaheb Phalke Award		Kavi Pradeep[3]	Lyricist	Swarna Kamal, ₹ 100,000 and a Shawl

Feature films

Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For National Film Awards, a Kannada film, Thaayi Saheba won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film also winning the maximum number of awards (4). Following were the awards given in each category:^[2]

Juries

A committee headed by B. Saroja Devi was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards. Following were the jury members:^[2]

• Jury Members
  • B. Saroja Devi (Chairperson) • P. Madhavan • Maheep Singh • C. V. L. Sastry • Aruna Purohit • Uma da Cunha • Devender Khandelwal • Sandip Ray • Santwana Bordoloi • Arundathi Nag • Pushpa Bharati • K. R. Mohanan • V. Madhusudhana Rao

All India Award

Following were the awards given:^[2]

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal^[2]

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	Thaayi Saheba	Kannada	Producer: Jaimala director: Girish Kasaravalli	₹ 50,000/- Each
	Citation: For its challenging portrayal of one woman who carries the burden of traditional constraints and restrictions of society and learns to overcome them with courage, dignity, sacrifice. In the process, she speaks for the emancipation of women.
Best Debut Film of a Director	Bhoothakkannadi	Malayalam	Producer: Nair Krishnakumar Unni Director: A. K. Lohithadas	₹ 25,000/- Each
	Citation: For the director's competent handling of the delicate balance of the human psyche.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment	Dil To Pagal Hai	Hindi	Producer: Yash Chopra Director: Yash Chopra	₹ 40,000/- Each
	Citation: For its clean, fun-loving portrayal of young people in the film that moves effortlessly and avoids any signs of violence or vulgarity.
Best Children's Film	Ramayanam	Telugu	Producer: M. S. Reddy Director: Gunasekhar	₹ 30,000/- Each
	Citation: For presenting the classical Indian epic in an entertaining narrative style with child actors playing all the legendary characters with ease and verve. The film provides an opportunity for children to keep in touch with the country's cultural heritage.
Best Direction	Kaliyattam	Malayalam	Jayaraj	₹ 50,000/-
	Citation: For successfully transplanting the classic play by keeping the traditional "Theyyam" art form as a backdrop and weaving an extremely tight story, never losing control of the medium.

Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal^[2]

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
Best Feature Film on National Integration	Border	Hindi	Producer: J. P. Dutta Director: J. P. Dutta	₹ 30,000/- Each
	Citation: For making an honest statement on patriotism, portraying the gallantry and sacrifies of the Armed forces, thereby instilling a sense of National pride.
Best Film on Family Welfare	Samaantharangal	Malayalam	Producer: Balachandra Menon Director: Balachandra Menon	₹ 30,000/- Each
	Citation: For an original script evolved from personal experience in a film that nurtures family and community life. The protagonist makes sacrifices in order to project the emotional and moral needs of his family members and through them projects a larger picture of the National Interests that bind us all.
Best Film on Other Social Issues	Dhanna	Hindi	Producer: Films Division Director: Deepak Roy	₹ 30,000/- Each
	Citation: The film stands for the rights of a disabled person to be accorded the privileges of a normal human being within a family and in society. It states in a simple yet convincing manner that the disabled should be encouraged to develop their inner talents.
Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation	Bhoomi Geetha	Kannada	Producer: R. Mahadev Gowda Director: Kesari Harvoo	₹ 30,000/- Each
	Citation: For its sincere statement the need for a balanced approach towards environment and tribal cultures that get displaced in the course of development.
Best Actor	Kaliyattam	Malayalam	Suresh Gopi	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For his control and presence in a role that demands a wide range of emotions.
	Samaantharangal	Malayalam	Balachandra Menon
	Citation: For his realistic and sensitive portrayal of a middle-class man who stands up for this high principles.
Best Actress	Dahan	Bengali	• Indrani Haldar  • Rituparna Sengupta	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For their restrained, sensitive portrayal of two women caught in a web in which both face humiliation. The two actresses are inspiring in the way they emerge richer from their experience.
Best Supporting Actor	Iruvar	Tamil	Prakash Raj	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For his sensitive and consistent portrayal of a powerful character that spans a colourful political career.
Best Supporting Actress	Dil To Pagal Hai	Hindi	Karisma Kapoor	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For her spirited and moving performance as a young woman who values friendship and love.
Best Child Artist	Dhanna	Hindi	Dhanraj	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For actor's natural portrayal of a disabled person. His curiosity and interests make him turn from a social outcaste into a self-learning member of community.
Best Male Playback Singer	Border ("Mere Dushman Mere Bhai")	Hindi	Hariharan	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For his melodious rendering of the heartwarming song.
Best Female Playback Singer	Virasat ("Paayalein Chun Mun")	Hindi	K. S. Chithra	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For her effortless and playful rendering of the song.
Best Cinematography	Iruvar	Tamil	Cameraman: Santosh Sivan Laboratory Processing: Prasad Film Laboratories	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For maintaining a consistent style and pattern that does justice to the period and scale that the narrative deals with.
Best Screenplay	Dahan	Bengali	Rituparno Ghosh	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For tactfully crafting a sensitive theme that dwells upon an incident which raises issues of social responsibility and personal awareness.
Best Audiography	Ennu Swantham Janakikutty	Malayalam	Sampath	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For using silence creatively to enhance a subject that deals with the isolation of a mind trapped in fantasy.
Best Editing	The Terrorist	Tamil	A. Sreekar Prasad	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For his sleek, officient and sharp editing which gives the film an absorbing pace, making it gripping and thought provoking.
Best Art Direction	Thaayi Saheba	Kannada	Ramesh Desai	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For his meticulous attention to minute details creating the exact atmosphere and aura of the film's period lifestyle and its changing perspective decade to decade.
Best Costume Design	Thaayi Saheba	Kannada	Vaishali Kasaravalli	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For her care and perception in designing the period costuming required for a film that covers a demanding range encompassing the upper class to the common man.
Best Music Direction	Annamayya	Telugu	M. M. Keeravani	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the film's rich, classical music scores and its devotional fervor.
Best Lyrics	Border	Hindi	Javed Akhtar	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For its evocative wording that is imbued with compassion for our nation and for human beings at large.
Best Choreography	Dil To Pagal Hai	Hindi	Shiamak Davar	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the striking and aesthetic use of colour and design in the film with both elements enriching its rhythm and dance movement.
Special Jury Award	Thaayi Saheba	Kannada	Jaimala (Actor)	₹ 25,000/-
	Citation: For her restrained and compellig portrayal of a woman who silently goes through the journey of life with grace and poise.
Special Mention	Annamayya	Telugu	Nagarjuna (Actor)	Certificate Only
	Citation: For his fine acting depicting various complex moods in wide ranging situations.
	Ennu Swantham Janakikutty	Malayalam	Jomol (Actress)
	Citation: For her natural portrayal of an innocent adolescent who becomes psychologically disturbed due to loneliness and rejection, finally her mental and emotional balance.

Regional Awards

The award is given to best film in the regional languages in India.^[2]

Name of Award	Name of Film	Awardee(s)	Cash Prize
Best Feature Film in Bengali	Dahan	Producer: Bijay Agarwal and Kalpana Agarwal Director: Rituparno Ghosh	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: For the way in which film portrays two young women who undergo the agony of discovering the harsh realities of their situation and society.
Best Feature Film in Hindi	Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa	Producer: Govind Nihalani Director: Govind Nihalani	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: For a moving depiction of the story of a mother who beings to realise her son's values and beliefs only after his tragic death and in the process emerges a stronger being.
Best Feature Film in Kannada	Mungarina Minchu	Producer: Jai Jagadish – R. Dushyanth Singh Director: Rajendra Singh Babu	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: For its interesting and amusing portrayal of the unexpected series of events that change the life of all the character in this family.
Best Feature Film in Malayalam	Mangamma	Producer: NFDC Director: T. V. Chandran	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: The film tells the story of a remarkable courageous middle class woman who takes challenge upon challenge in her stride. Each confrontation makes a comment on social structures.
Best Feature Film in Oriya	Shesha Drushti	Producer: NFDC Director: Apurba Kishore Bir	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: For effectively portraying two generations trapped in a web – one that can't break away from its past – the other that tries to deal with a present with no future.
Best Feature Film in Punjabi	Main Maa Punjab Dee	Producer: Devender Walia Director: Balwant Dullat	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: For the film's exploration of a suffering mother who undergoes the trauma created by her own sons and rediscovers her creative talent and rehabilitates herself.
Best Feature Film in Tamil	The Terrorist	Producer: A. Sriram Director: Santosh Sivan	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: For the film's stylised, evocative presentation of a theme that introspectively and in a silent, subtle manner says a loud "NO" to violence.
Best Feature Film in Telugu	Sindhooram	Producer: Krishna Vamsi Director: Krishna Vamsi	₹ 20,000/- Each
	Citation: For the film's sincere effort at analysing, the problem of corruption which leads to disillusionment among the young and perpetuates violence within a 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 K. K. Kapil was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:^[2]

• Jury Members
  • K. K. Kapil (Chairperson) • Dinkar Chowdhary • Shashi Ranjan • Parvathi Menon • Namita Gokhale

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal^[2]

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	Jataner Jami	Bengali	Producer: Raja Mitra and Associates Director: Raja Mitra	₹ 25,000/- Each
	Citation: For its moving portrayal of a landless peasant's empowerment and his ultimate betrayal.

Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal^[2]

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	Mizhavu – A Silent Drum Beat	English	Producer: P. D. Raphel Director: K. R. Subhash	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For its total and absorbing cinematic presentation of a unique and little-known percussion instrument.
Best Anthropological / Ethnographic Film	In the Land of Lepchas	English	Producer: Government of West Bengal Director: Anjan Bose and Manas Kamal Chowdhari	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For the simple and humane depiction of life and values of the Lepcha tribe.
Best Biographical Film	Mounam Sowmanasyam	Malayalam	Producer: T. Ravindranath Director: Ravindran	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For an insightful evocation of the shy and retiring filmmaker Arvindan, and the erudite assessment of his cinematic idiom.
Best Arts / Cultural Film	The Official Art Form	English	Producer: National Gallery of Modern Art Director: Suhasini Mulay and R. M. Gharekhan	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For an important documentation of a vital transitional period of our cultural heritage.
Best Scientific Film	Ayurveda	English	Producer: D. Gautaman for Films Division Director: Bhanumurthy Alur	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For an effective depiction of our ancient ayurvedic transition, and its reabsorption into mainstream medicine.
	Cancer	Hindi	Producer: Bhanumurthy Alur for Films Division Director: C. K. M. Rao
	Citation: The film shatters many outdated beliefs about cancer and gives useful information about its prophylactic and curative treatment.
Best Environment / Conservation / Preservation Film	Nature's Sentinels – Bishnoi	Hindi	Producer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division Director: Late P. C. Sharma and Shankar Patnaik	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For a forceful portrayal of a little known community's longstanding crusade for environmental conservation.
Best Promotional Film	Sarang – Symphony in Cocophony	English	Producer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division Director: Joshy Joseph for Films Division	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For an inspiring documentary about a young couple's commitment to revive the silent valley through organic farming.
Best Agricultural Film	Post Harvest Management of Potato	Hindi	Producer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division Director: V. Packirisamy for Films Division	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For a well researched, informative and effectively communicated film which will be immense practical value to viewers.
Best Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film	Ayyankali – Adhastitharude Vimochakan	Malayalam	Producer: P. Sasidharan and A. Krishna Director: R. S. Madhu	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: Besides being meticulously researched, the film also reconstructs the spirit of the first awakening against feudalisms and castes.
Best Film on Social Issues	Matir Bhanr	Bengali	Producer: Anjana Ghosh Dastidar Director: Debananda Sengupta	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For an authentic portrayal of the struggle for identity empowerment by the underpriveleged girl child.
Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film	Nirankush	Hindi	Producer: Venu Arora Director: Venu Arora	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For a powerful dramatic narration of a young social worker's endeavours to attack the deeper social prejudice behind the heinous crime of female infanticide.
Best Exploration / Adventure Film	In Search of Excellence	Hindi	Producer: Kuldeep Sinha for Films Division Director: Raghu Krishna	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For a vigorous and inspiring look at Maharashtra's martially inspired popular sports including malkhamb.
Best Investigative Film	Thirst	Hindi	Producer: Y. N. Engineer for Films Division Director: Swadesh Pathak for Films Division	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For a hard hitting indictment of the realities of water – resource mismanagement in rural India.
Best Animation Film	Trade – Commerce		Producer: Bhimsain Director: Kireet Khurana	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: This intriguingly titled expose of the evils of child prostitution uses the animation form in a creative and aesthetic manner.
Best Short Fiction Film	Hypnothesis	Hindi	Producer: Film and Television Institute of India Director: Rajat Kapoor	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: For a serious look, light heartedly presented, of the travesties of mass cinema.
Best Film on Family Welfare	The Saviour	Hindi	Producer: Shaila Paralkar Director: Shaila Paralkar	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: This film simply and dexterously communicates the fundamentals of child health care to the masses.
	Banglar Baul	Bengali	Producer: Yash Chaudhary Director: K. G. Das
	Citation: For its evocative exposition of family welfare issues employing the local folk and musical traditions.
Best Cinematography	The Trail	English	Cameraman: Ashok Dasgupta	₹ 10,000/- Each
	Citation: This experimental film deals with the decolonisation of the mind through its strong and artistic visual images.
Best Audiography	Matir Bhanr	Bengali	Pankaj Shil	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For its strong sound structure which is woven and enmeshed into the fabric of the film.
Best Editing	Jataner Jami	Bengali	Ujjal Nandy	₹ 10,000/-
	Citation: For the seamless and rhythmic flow of visual images, juxtaposing hope and despair in a harmonious aesthetic.
Special Mention	Gotipua	English	Gulbahar Singh (Director)	Certificate Only
	Citation: For a well researched portrayal of the still-vital dance form which is the predecessor and creative source of the Odissi tradition.

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 Chidananda Dasgupta was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:^[2]

• Jury Members
  • Chidananda Dasgupta (Chairperson) • Tarun Vijay • Chandan Mitra

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal^[2]

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	Cinemachi Goshta	Marathi	Author: Anil Jhankar Publisher: Rajhans Prakashan	₹ 15,000/- Each
	Citation: For a certain originality of analysis written in perceptive style together with reliability of information which makes this book capable of enriching the readers understanding of cinema.
	Hindi Cinema Aur Delhi	Hindi	Author: Savita Bhakhri and Adithya Aswathi Publisher: Praveen Prakashan
	Citation: For a well researched account of Hindi cinema with socio-economic aspects supported by extensive opinion surveys in the Delhi region which endows this book with considerable interest.
Best Film Critic		English	Deepa Gahlot	₹ 15,000/-
	Citation: Her writings reflect a serious social and artistic approach to cinema, embracing its historical background and contemporary dynamics. It combines seriousness of understanding with popular communication and is thus of significance to the wider audience.

Awards not given

Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:^[2]

• Best Special Effects
• Best Feature Film in Assamese
• Best Feature Film in English
• Best Feature Film in Manipuri
• Best Feature Film in Marathi
• Best Non-Feature Film Music Direction