Pratibha Patil presents 58th national film awards

President Pratibha Patil on Friday (September 09) conferred Dada Saheb Phalke award to Veteran director K Balachander, known for his masterpieces Iru Kodugal", "Apoorva Raagangal" and "Ek Duuje Ke Liye", while giving away National Awards in 36 other categories.

Informing media details on the films Ambika Soni, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting said, “This year there were record number of 161 feature films in fifteen languages and 113 non feature films in thirteen languages from all over the country that competed for the top honors. Talent was seen in greater bundles. Therefore as we see, join winners in categories of best actor, best actress and best child artist.”

Live performances by Rekha Bhardwaj and Suresh Wadkar wooed the audience.

While Tamil movie ‘Aadukalam’ walked away with the award in six top categories, Malayalam film ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’ picked up four awards.

The President honoured K. Balachander, veteran Tamil director with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at Vigyan Bhawan.

Fort the first time in 58 years the certificate was also given a makeover.

Tamil star Dhanush receives the Best Actor award for Aadukalam from President Pratibha Patil.

Actress Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar receives Best Actress award for her role in Marathi film Baboo Band Baaja from President Pratibha Patil.

Veteran Tamil filmmaker K Balachander receives the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award from President Pratibha Patil.

Producer Arbaaz Khan receives the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Dabangg from President Pratibha Patil.

Vishal Bhardwaj receives the award for Best Music Direction for Ishqiya from President Pratibha Patil.

Rekha Bhardwaj receives the award for Best Female Playback Singer for Ishqiya from President Pratibha Patil.

Child actor Harsh Mayar receives the Best Child Artist award for his performance in the Hindi film I am Kalam from President Pratibha Patil.

Malaika Arora Khan at the event.

Actor Salim Kumar receives the Best Actor award for the Malayalam film Adaminte Makan Abu from President Pratibha Patil.

Producer Basantkumar Patil receives the Best Children's Film Award for the Kannada film Hejjegalu from President Pratibha Patil.

Producer couple Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan pose with the Swarna Kamal medal. The duo received the Award For Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Dabangg.

Director P. Sheshadri receives the Best Film On Environment Conservation/Preservation award for Kannada film Bettada Jeeva from President Pratibha Patil.

Director P.R. Ramadas Naidu receives the Best Children's Film award for his Kannada film Hejjegalu from President Pratibha Patil.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner K Balachander with actor Arbaaz Khan.

Director Seenu Ramasamy receives the award for the Best Tamil Film for Thenmerkku Paruvakkatru from President Pratibha Patil.

(From Right to left)Best Actor award winner Salim Kumar with Best Child Artist award winner Harsh Mayar, followed by fellow Best Actor award winner K Dhanush and Best Actress award winner Saranya Pon Vannan at the 58th National Film Awards Function in New Delhi on Friday (September 9).

Singer Suresh Wadkar receives the Best Male Playback Singer award for the Marathi film Mee Sindhutai Sapkal from President Pratibha Patil.

Best Actor award winners Salim Kumar (Right) and Dhanush with Best Actress award winners Saranya Pon Vannan and Mitalee Jagtap-Varadkar (Left) at the 58th National Film Awards Function in New Delhi.

Author Vijaya Mulay receives the Best Book On Cinema award for her English book ‘From Rajahs and Yogis to Gandhi and Beyond: Images of India in International Films of the Twentieth Century' from President Pratibha Patil.