National Film Award for Best Investigative Film

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

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

First awarded| 1990
Last awarded| 2017
Most recent winner| 1984, When the Sun Didn't Rise
Highlights
Total awarded| 25
First winner| Una Mitran Di Yaad Pyaari (In Memory of Friends)

The National Film Award for Best Investigative 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 1990, at 38th National Film Awards and awarded annually for short films produced in the year across the country, in all Indian languages. At the 70th National Film Awards, the award is discontinued and clubbed with National Film Award for Best Promotional Film, National Film Award for Best Scientific Film, National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film, National Film Award for Best Exploration/Adventure Film, National Film Award for Best Anthropological/Ethnographic Film, National Film Award for Best Agriculture Film and National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues, and two new categories were created; Best Documentary and Best Non Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values.[1]

## Winners

[edit]

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

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.
1990
(38th) | Una Mitran Di Yaad Pyaari
(In Memory of Friends) |  • English
• Hindi
• Punjabi | Anand Patwardhan | Anand Patwardhan |

For the ardent pursuit of truth in an explosive contemporary atmosphere, with objectivity, courage and lucidity.

| [2]
1991
(39th) | Bhagirathi Ki Pukaar | Hindi  | Anwar Jamal | Anwar Jamal |

For the in-depth analysis of the impact of proposed Tehri Dam on the environment and the people affected by it.

| [3]
1992
(40th) | Ram ke Naam | Hindi  | Anand Patwardhan | Anand Patwardhan |

For a skilfully made film on a major problem of the times; the communal divide and rise of militant Hindutva groups that led to demolition of Babri Mosque

| [4]
1993
(41st) | Benefit For Whom at Whose Cost? | English  | Dinesh Lakhanpal  | Dinesh Lakhanpal  |

For a well researched and detailed investigation of the fears and tribulations of the people living under the looming shadow of a long-delayed multipurpose hydel project.

| [5]
1994
(42nd) | Father, Son and Holy War (Part I – Trial by Fire, Part II – Hero Pharmacy) |  • Hindi
• English  | Anand Patwardhan | Anand Patwardhan |

For probing beyond the objective, in its pursuit of insights, allowing even the unexpected to suggest the oblique.

| [6]
1995
(43rd) | Limit to Freedom | English  | Deepak Roy  | Deepak Roy  |

For depicting the miserable plight of women prisoners and their bleak protests for any future.

| [7]
1996
(44th) | N. M. No. 309 Bhiwandi Tragedy | English  | Yash Chowdhary  | V. Packiri Swamy  |

For the exploration of the issue of health hazards faced by migrant industrial workers.

| [8]
1997
(45th) | Thirst | Hindi  | Y. N. Engineer for Films Division | Swadesh Pathak for Films Division  |

For a hard hitting indictment of the realities of water resource mismanagement in rural India.

| [9]
1998
(46th) | Saga of Darkness | Bengali | Creative Image  | Gautam Sen  |

For its courageous expose of an inhuman practice and state apathy.

| [10]
1999
(47th) | No Award  | [11]
2000
(48th) | Wearing the face | English  | Bankim for Films Division  | Joshy Joseph for Films Division  |

For insight-fully and sensitively probing the masked lives of college students of Manipur, who are compelled by socio-political circumstances to pull rickshaws for their livelihood.

| [12]
2001
(49th) | Kalahandi |  • Oriya
• English  | Soudamini Mishra  | Gautam Ghose |

For its courageous expose of endemic poverty in the backward region of Orissa and the state's apathy to it.

| [13]
2002
(50th) | No Award  | [14]
2003
(51st) | A Silent Killer | English  | Dhananjoy Mondal  | Dhananjoy Mondal  |

The film is a forceful statement on the disastrous consequences of millions of people drinking water contaminated with "arsenic". In a simple but effective manner, the filmmaker explores and then brings out the enormity of the problem.

| [15]
2004
(52nd) | Harvest of Hunger |  • English
• Oriya  | Action Aid India  | Rupashree Nanda  |

For portraying the apathy and the hardships of drought effected villagers from Bolangir District, and their struggle to survive under an atmosphere of compulsive exploitation in excellent investigative and poignant style.

| [16]
2005
(53rd) | The Whistle Blowers | English  | Rajiv Mehrotra | Umesh Aggarwal  |

For a small film with a big impact! In the best traditions of Investigative reportage, the film highlights the burning issue of hazards to health and pollution norms.

| [17]
2006
(54th) | Mere Desh Ki Dharti | Hindi  | Rajiv Mehrotra | Sumit Khanna  |

For exploring in depth the problem of falling agro-production and poisoning of the food chain due to use of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

| [18]
2007
(55th) | The Journalist and a Jihadi | English  | Romesh Sharma |  • Romesh Sharma
• Ahmad Jamal  |

For trying to uncover the sequence of events that led to the gruesome murder of the Wall-street journalist, Daniel Pearl. This film is very well researched and the investigation provides an insight into the working of a militant organisation.

| [19]
2008
(56th) | Distant Rumblings | English  | Ms. Rongsenkala  | Bani Prakash Das  |

For evoking painful memories of World War II as experienced by people of North East India, after the Japanese invasion. Through war wreckages found in the jungles and first person accounts, the film stitches together a moving story of affected families long forgotten.

| [20]
2009
(57th) | No Award  | [21]
2010
(58th) | A Pestering Journey |  • Malayalam
• Punjabi
• Hindi
• English
• Tulu | Ranjini Krishnan  | K. R. Manoj  |

For the pet detective in a reverse act, an emotive documentary exposing not only stories of cruel impact of pest control on human health but also arrests out attention to a more fundamental question – who is a pest ?.

| [22]
2011
(59th) | Cotton for My Shroud | English  | Kavita Bahl  |  • Nandan Saxena
• Kavita Bahl  |

For exposing the growing apathy of the state, the tightening grip of multinationals and the web created by middlemen and moneylenders towards small cotton growing farmers in Vidarbha. The film successfully investigates the vicious trap of debts, deceptions and suicides.

| [23]
2012
(60th) | Inshallah, Kashmir | English  | Ashvin Kumar | Ashvin Kumar |

For unflinchingly and boldly stepping into unearthing the truth about Kashmir. A passionate inquiry connecting with the people, discovering what is called 'Kashmiriyat' and at the same time exposing the role the state, police and army have played in alienating them from India.

| [24]
2013
(61st) | Katiyabaaz |  • Hindi
• Urdu
• English  | Globalistan Films Pvt. Ltd.  |  • Deepti Kakkar
• Fahad Mustafa  |

For its cutting edge investigation into the life of a typical Indian city, the film uses strong characters, juxtapositions and humour to create a visual arch that delineates the haves and have-nots of power.

| [25]
2014
(62nd) | Phum Shang |  | Films Division  | Haobam Paban Kumar |

For its quiet and fair-hearted investigation of the fishermen communities and their floating dwellings on Loktak Lake, Manipur, even as government agencies and conservationists struggle to save the lake.

| [26]
2015
(63rd) | Tezpur 1962 | English  | Films Division  | Samujjal Kashyap  |

Lost in the mist of time – an attempt to trace the untold...

| [27]
2016
(64th) | Placebo | English  | Archana Fadke  | Abhay Kumar  |

An important and intelligently crafted film that investigates the malaise plaguing one of India's premiere educational institutions, showing us a mirror of our times.

| [28]
2017
(65th) | 1984, When the Sun Didn't Rise |  | Teenaa Kaur Pasricha | Teenaa Kaur Pasricha |

A determined effort of a filmmaker to come to terms with a disturbing event in history.

2018
(66th) | Amoli |  | Culture Machine Media Pvt. Ltd.  |  • Jasmine Kaur Roy
• Avinash Roy  |

For its gritty examination of why and how young girls are coerced into commercial sex work, destroying their lives and minds, and for depicting their courage to survive.

2020
(68th) | The Saviour Brig. Pritam Singh | Punjabi  | Akaal Productions  |  • Paramjeet Singh Kattu
• Karanvir Singh Sibla  |

This Movie is depicting the bravery and courage of Brig. Pritam Singh for Indian people.

| [29]

## 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. ^ "38th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
3. ^ "39th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
4. ^ "40th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
5. ^ "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
6. ^ "42nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
7. ^ "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
8. ^ "44th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
9. ^ "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
10. ^ "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
11. ^ "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
12. ^ "48th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
13. ^ "49th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
14. ^ "50th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
15. ^ "51st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
16. ^ "52nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
17. ^ "53rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
18. ^ "54th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
19. ^ "55th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
20. ^ "56th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
21. ^ "57th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
22. ^ "58th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
23. ^ "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
24. ^ "60th National Film Awards Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
25. ^ "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.
26. ^ "62nd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
27. ^ "63rd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
28. ^ "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
29. ^ "68th National Awards 2020: 'The Saviour: Brig. Pritam Singh' gets the title of the Best Investigative Film in the category of non-feature films". The Times of India. 30 September 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 September 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)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template