National Film Award for Best Biographical Film

Film award in India

National Film Award for Best Biographical Film

National award for contributions to short film
Sponsored by| Directorate of Film Festivals
Reward(s)|

* Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus)
* ₹50,000 (US$600)

First awarded| 1984
Last awarded| 2017
Most recent winner|

* • Naachi se Baanchi
* • Sword of Liberty

Highlights
Total awarded| 38
First winner| Padmashri Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair

The National Film Award for Best Biographical Film was one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. It was one of several awards presented for non-feature films and awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus).

The award was instituted in 1984, at 32nd National Film Awards and awarded annually for the short films produced in the year across the country, in all Indian languages. The award is clubbed with National Film Award for Best Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film, with the new category named as Best Biographical / Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film.[1]

## Winners

[edit]

Award includes 'Rajat Kamal' (Silver Lotus) and cash prize. Following are the award winners over the years:

Awards legends

| Indicates a joint award for the year

| Awarded as Best Biographical Film / Best Historical Reconstruction Film
List of films, showing the year, language(s), producer(s), director(s) and citation

Year  | Film(s)  | Language(s)  | Producer(s)  | Director(s)  | Citation  | Refs.
1984
(32nd) | Padmashri Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair | Malayalam | James Paul  | Matthew Paul  |  - | [2]
1985
(33rd) | Satyajit Ray | English  | Films Division | Shyam Benegal |

For the deep analysis of the life and work of Satyajit Ray, in a face-to-face interaction.

| [3]
The Seer Who Walks Alone | English  | G. Aravindan | G. Aravindan  |

For the sensitive portrayal of the life, personality and philosophy of J. Krishnamurthi, the noted philosopher.

1986
(34th) | Sister Alphonsa of Bharananganam | English  |  • Dejo Kappen
• George Sebastian  | Rajiv Vijay Raghavan |

For its creative use of cinematography in portraying with great sympathy and understanding the life of Sister Alphonsa.

| [4]
Kamala Nehru | English  | Uma Shankar  | Ashish Mukherjee  |

For the innovative use of graphics in the effective depiction of the subject.

1987
(35th) | Basheer: The Man | English  | Kannakulam Abdulla  | M. R. Rahman  |

For its presentation of a relatively unknown literary personality through a fresh, spontaneous, uninhibited portrayal that brings out the complexity of an unconventional individual, rich in wit and worldly wisdom.

| [5]
1988
(36th) | No Award  | [6]
1989
(37th) | C. V. Raman: The Scientist and His Legacy | English  | N. K. Saigal  | Nandan Kudhyadi  |

For being an innovative and sensitive biography of a great scientist, C. V. Raman, portraying his achievements, trials and tribulations.

| [7]
1990
(38th) | Baba | English  | Mediart Film Pvt. Ltd  | Rajiv Mehrotra |

For the relaxed and sensitive portrayal of an extraordinary man of our times, bubbling with humanity, portraying the social causes for which Baba Amte has dedicated life, with a sense of deep involvement, never descending to eulogising.

| [8]
1991
(39th) | Bhavantarana | Oriya | Bombay Cinematograph  | Kumar Shahani |

For presenting the life and art of Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra in distinct stylised manner.

| [9]
Kabitar Ananta Jatrapathe | Bengali | Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal | Sanat Kumar Dasgupta  |

For imaginative visualisation of poetry of the late Jibananand Das and relating it to his life and time.

1992
(40th) | Pandit Bhimsen Joshi | Hindi  | Gulzar for Films Division  | Gulzar |

For a moving rendering of the life of great master of ragas.

| [10]
1993
(41st) | Colors of Absence | English  |  • Shanta Gokhale
• Arun Khopkar  | Arun Khopkar  |

For a beautifully crafted and successful presentation of the biography of the painter, Jehangir Sabavala, through his work. The sound design of the film has also been meticulously conceived.

| [11]
1994
(42nd) | No Award  | [12]
1995
(43rd) | A Living Legend | English  | Aurora Film Corporation  | Satadru Chaki  |

For portraying with sincerity the life of an educationist and parliamentarian Prof. Hiren Mukherjee.

| [13]
1996
(44th) | Hastir Kanya | Assamese | Digbijay Medhi  | Prabin Hazarika  |

For exploring the world of Goalpariya folk music through the life of singer Pratima Borooah Pandey of Gauripur, Assam.

| [14]
1997
(45th) | Mounam Sowmanasyam | Malayalam  | T. Ravindranath  | Ravindran  |

For an insightful evocation of the shy and retiring filmmaker Arvindan, and the erudite assessment of his cinematic idiom.

| [15]
1998
(46th) | Premji: Ithihasathinte Sparsam | Malayalam  | Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi | M. R. Rajan  |

For an insightful voyage into the meaningful and exemplary lives of Premji and M.R.B., two legendary social reformers.

| [16]
Unarvinte Kalam: M.R.B.
1999
(47th) | Nottam | Malayalam  | Bina Narayan  | M. R. Rajan  |

For portraying the renowned Kathakali actor Kizhpadam Kumaran Nair, his valuable contribution to the art form, his devotion, dignity and his insights into nature, art and life.

| [17]
Mallika Sarabhai | English  | Films Division  | Aruna Raje Patil  |

For a vibrant presentation of a contemporary woman’s life and art, through the perspective of Mallika Sarabhai.

2000
(48th) | Devanarthakan
(The Divine Dancer) | Malayalam  | A. V. Ali Koya for Kerala State Chalachitra Academy | Sudish Gopalakrishnan  |

For the effective portrayal of Kodakkat Kannan Peruvannan, the renowned Theyyam artist, popularly known as Devanarthakan.

| [18]
2001
(49th) | Teejan Bai | Hindi  | Kuldeep Sinha for Films Division  | V. Packirisamy  |

For the portrayal of the success story of the folk artist.

| [19]
2002
(50th) | Meeting Manjit | English  | Ina Puri  | Buddhadeb Dasgupta |

For making incisive use of the visual potential of cinema to give us rare insight into an artist's life, his subconscious and its articulation on canvas. The film brilliantly juxtaposes the journeys of the artist, his friend Ina and the film maker himself.

| [20]
2003
(51st) | No Award  | [21]
2004
(52nd) | It's Prabhat | Marathi | A. V. Damle  | Madhavi Vaidya  |

For presenting the glorious history of Prabhat Film Company in a very engaging and fascinating manner through excellent compilation of the excerpts of some of the renowned old films of the company.

| [22]
2005
(53rd) | Hans Akela: Kumar Gandharva†  | Hindi  | Films Division  | Jabbar Patel |

For a film made with a deep sense of understanding of classical Music. This well researched film sensitively evokes the unique personality and contribution of Kumar Gandharva and shows the human face of his outstanding creativity.

| [23]
2006
(54th) | Minukku | Malayalam  |  • Devadasan Keezhpatt
• Bina Narayanan  | M. R. Rajan  |

The film succeeds in imaginatively presenting the life story of "Kottakkal Sivaraman" the legendary Kathakali artist, who specialises in performing female roles. In the process it also highlights some aspects of traditional Kathakali dance.

| [24]
Guru Laimayum Thambalngoubi Devi | Manipuri | Aribam Syam Sharma | Aribam Syam Sharma |

For the simplicity and grace with which the director has related the story of the great Manipuri dance and theatre artist "Guru Laimayum Thambalngoubi Devi".

2007
(55th) | Antardhwani†  | Hindi  | Films Division  | Jabbar Patel |

For creatively bringing out the life and times of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma in his journey to revive the lost music of the Santoor and place it on the world stage. The pace and rhythm of the film is in tune with the melodious music of the Santoor.

| [25]
2008
(56th) | The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: A Reconstruction | English  | Films Division  | R. Krishna Mohan  |

For traversing vast stretches of time and geographical space, this film deftly puts together strands of information, perception, evidence and historical contexts to reconstruct a compelling narrative about the gruesome assassination of a world leader.

| [26]
2009
(57th) | Pancham Unmixed |  • Bengali
• Hindi
• English  | Brahmanand S Siingh | Brahmanand S Siingh |

For an engaging compilation of the tumultuous journey of a legendary and iconic music composer of the Indian Film Industry whose music lives on.

| [27]
2010
(58th) | Nilamadhaba | English  | Films Division  | Dilip Patnaik  |

For an intimate portrayal of the inimitable Sunanda Patnaik, whose life is inseparable from contemporary Indian classical music. The film explores the inner spirit of the artist through evocative moments, pregnant with visual passages.

| [28]
2011
(59th) | Vishnupant Damle: Bolpatancha Mook Nayak†  | Marathi  | Anil Anant Damle  | Virendra Valsangkar  |

For capturing the odyssey of an unsung pioneer of cinema who dared to follow his dreams and enriched the grand canvas experience of the Indian film history.

| [29]
2012
(60th) | Celluloid Man†  |  • English
• Hindi
• Kannada
• Bengali  | Shivendra Singh Dungarpur | Shivendra Singh Dungarpur |

For capturing, with warmth, the essential impetus of the life of a person whose love for cinema and its diligent archiving has virtually created a cinematic heritage and encouraged generations of filmmakers. And for the film's ability to share the beauty of this impetus with its own creative archiving that makes for a rich multi-layered biography.

| [30]
2013
(61st) | The Last Adieu†  | English  | Films Division  | Shabnam Sukhdev  |

For its insight into the work of an exceptionally passionate documentary filmmaker blended with a frank and moving account of his daughter’s attempt to come to terms with his estrangement from the family.

| [31]
2014
(62nd) | Amar Katha: Story of Binodini†  | Bengali  | Films Division  | Tuhinabha Majumder  |

For its stylistic and poetic portrayal of the 19th century theatre actress Binodini Devi's autobiography.

| [32]
2015
(63rd) | Life in Metaphors: A Portrait of Girish Kasaravalli†  |  • English
• Kannada  | Reelism Film  | O. P. Shrivastava  |

Philosophical images of life and beyond.

| [33]
2016
(64th) | Zikr Us Parivaksha: Begum Akhtar†  | English  | Sangeet Natak Akademi | Nirmal Chander  |

This film uses archival recordings, recreations and interviews to take us on a touching musical journey with a lady who broke open social barriers, becoming one of India's most legendary musical maestros.

| [34]
2017
(65th) | Naachi se Baanchi†  |  | Films Division of India | Biju Toppo  |

Tracing the footprints of the global yet rooted leader Padmashree Ram Dayal Munda's inspirational journey through his music, academics and politics.

Sword of Liberty†  |  | R. C. Suresh  | Shiny Benjamin |

An elaborate reconstruction of a Diwan’s life in the erstwhile Travancore State.

2018
(66th) | No Award  | [35]
2019
(67th) | Elephants Do Remember†  | English  | Films Division of India | Swati Pandey, Viplove Rai Bhatia & Manohar Singh Bisht  |

For portraying the par of a patriotic spirit of an ex-soldier of the Indian National Army.

| [36]
2020
(68th) | Pabung Syam†  | Manipuri | Films Division of India | Haobam Paban Kumar |

Pabung Syam is the pioneer filmmaker from Manipur who placed the Manipuri cinema on the Indian map through his artistic expression. The film takes a look at the life and work, which is actually directed by his disciple Haobam Paban Kumar, another one of the distinguished filmmakers from the state of Manipur.

| [37]
2021
(69th) | Beyond Blast†  | Manipuri | Konjengbam Sushila Leima  | Saikhom Ratan  |

The film has created a valiant potrayal of an artist, finding one's own purpose of expression, despite facing life altering adversaries.

| [38]
Rukhu Matir Dukhu Majhi†  | Bengali  | Somnath Mondal  | Somnath Mondal  |

For creating a sentimental depiction of a committed man, his resolution or his efforts to safeguard Mother Earth against surging temperatures. Yet another film that deals with environmental issues.

2022
(70th) | Aankhi Ek Mohenjo Daro†  | Marathi  | de Goan Studio & Ashok Rane Productions  | Ashok Rane |  | [39]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Under Secretary to the Government of India (14 December 2023). "Report on Rationalization of Awards Conferred by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting | Government of India". Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
2. ^ "32nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
3. ^ "33rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
4. ^ "34th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
5. ^ "35th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
6. ^ "36th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
7. ^ "37th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
8. ^ "38th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
9. ^ "39th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
10. ^ "40th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
11. ^ "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
12. ^ "42nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
13. ^ "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
14. ^ "44th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
15. ^ "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
16. ^ "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
17. ^ "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
18. ^ "48th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
19. ^ "49th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
20. ^ "50th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
21. ^ "51st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
22. ^ "52nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
23. ^ "53rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
24. ^ "54th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
25. ^ "55th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
26. ^ "56th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
27. ^ "57th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
28. ^ "58th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
29. ^ "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
30. ^ "60th National Film Awards Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
31. ^ "61st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 16 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
32. ^ "62nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
33. ^ "63rd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
34. ^ "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
35. ^ "66th National Film Awards for 2018 announced". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
36. ^ "67th National Film Awards". Cinematic Illusions. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
37. ^ "68th National Film Awards: Soorarai Pottru Wins Best Film; Suriya, Ajay Devgn Share Best Actor Honour". www.news18.com. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
38. ^ "69th National Film Awards 2023 complete winners list: Rocketry, Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Allu Arjun, RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi win big". 24 August 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
39. ^ "70th National Film Awards announcement live updates: Rishabh Shetty wins Best Actor, Attam is Best Feature Film". Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

## External links

[edit]

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

* v
* t
* e

National Film Awards

* National Film Development Corporation of India
* Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
* Cinema of India

Lifetime Achievement|

* Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Feature Films|

| Current awards|

| Golden Lotus|

* Feature Film
* Direction
* Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
* Children's Film
* Debut Film of a Director
* AVGC (Animation Film)

|

Silver Lotus|

* Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values
* Assamese Feature Film
* Bengali Feature Film
* Gujarati Feature Film
* Hindi Feature Film
* Kannada Feature Film
* Konkani Feature Film
* Malayalam Feature Film
* Manipuri Feature Film
* Marathi Feature Film
* Odia Feature Film
* Punjabi Feature Film
* Tamil Feature Film
* Telugu Feature Film
* Screenplay
* Actor in a Leading Role
* Actress in a Leading Role
* Actor in a Supporting Role
* Actress in a Supporting Role
* Child Artist
* Cinematography
* Editing
* Music Direction
* Male Singer
* Female Singer
* Lyrics
* Production Design
* AVGC (Visual Effects)
* Choreography
* Stunt Choreography
* Costume Design
* Make-up
* Sound Design
* Special Mention

Intermittent awards|

* Bhojpuri Feature Film
* Bodo Feature Film
* Dogri Feature Film
* English Feature Film
* Garo Feature Film
* Haryanvi Feature Film
* Jasari Feature Film
* Kashmiri Feature Film Feature Film
* Khasi Feature Film
* Kodava Feature Film
* Kokborok Feature Film
* Ladakhi Feature Film
* Maithili Feature Film
* Mishing Feature Film
* Mizo Feature Film
* Monpa Feature Film
* Pangchenpa Feature Film
* Rabha Feature Film
* Sanskrit Feature Film Feature Film
* Sherdukpen
* Tiwa Feature Film Feature Film
* Tulu Feature Film
* Urdu Feature Film
* Wancho Feature Film

Discontinued awards|

* Second Feature Film
* Third Feature Film
* Story
* Film Based on High Literary Work
* Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
* Film on Family Welfare
* Film on National Integration
* Film on Other Social Issues
* Special Jury
* Animated Film
* Special Effects

Non-Feature Films|

| Current awards|

| Golden Lotus|

* Non-Feature Film
* Direction
* Debut Film of a Director

|

Silver Lotus|

* Non Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values
* Documentry
* Arts/Cultural Film
* Biographical/Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film
* Animation Film
* Short Film
* Script
* Cinematography
* Editing
* Narration / Voice Over
* Best Music Direction
* Sound Design
* Special Mention

Discontinued awards|

* Experimental Film
* Industrial Film
* Agriculture Film
* Anthropological/Ethnographic Film
* Biographical Film
* Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film
* Environment/Conservation/Preservation Film
* Exploration/Adventure Film
* Film on Family Welfare
* Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film
* Investigative Film
* Promotional Film
* Scientific Film
* Film on Social Issues
* Filmstrip
* News Review
* Newsreel Cameraman
* Special Jury

Writing on cinema|

| Current awards|

* Best Book on Cinema
* Best Film Critic

|

Intermittent awards|

* Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Book on Cinema)
* Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Film Critic)

Awards by year|

| 1953–1960|

* 1953 (1st)
* 1954 (2nd)
* 1955 (3rd)
* 1956 (4th)
* 1957 (5th)
* 1958 (6th)
* 1959 (7th)
* 1960 (8th)

|

1961–1980|

* 1961 (9th)
* 1962 (10th)
* 1963 (11th)
* 1964 (12th)
* 1965 (13th)
* 1966 (14th)
* 1967 (15th)
* 1968 (16th)
* 1969 (17th)
* 1970 (18th)
* 1971 (19th)
* 1972 (20th)
* 1973 (21st)
* 1974 (22nd)
* 1975 (23rd)
* 1976 (24th)
* 1977 (25th)
* 1978 (26th)
* 1979 (27th)
* 1980 (28th)

1981–2000|

* 1981 (29th)
* 1982 (30th)
* 1983 (31st)
* 1984 (32nd)
* 1985 (33rd)
* 1986 (34th)
* 1987 (35th)
* 1988 (36th)
* 1989 (37th)
* 1990 (38th)
* 1991 (39th)
* 1992 (40th)
* 1993 (41st)
* 1994 (42nd)
* 1995 (43rd)
* 1996 (44th)
* 1997 (45th)
* 1998 (46th)
* 1999 (47th)
* 2000 (48th)

2001–2020|

* 2001 (49th)
* 2002 (50th)
* 2003 (51st)
* 2004 (52nd)
* 2005 (53rd)
* 2006 (54th)
* 2007 (55th)
* 2008 (56th)
* 2009 (57th)
* 2010 (58th)
* 2011 (59th)
* 2012 (60th)
* 2013 (61st)
* 2014 (62nd)
* 2015 (63rd)
* 2016 (64th)
* 2017 (65th)
* 2018 (66th)
* 2019 (67th)
* 2020 (68th)

2021–present|

* 2021 (69th)
* 2022 (70th)

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