Strong regional flavour at the award function

Regional films ruled the roost at the 59th National Film Awards ceremony. At the function, vice-president Hamid Ansari and information & broadcasting minister Ambika Soni made a strong case for regional films.

Regional films ruled the roost at the 59th National Film Awards ceremony here. At the function, vice-president Hamid Ansari and information & broadcasting minister Ambika Soni made a strong case for regional films.

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Appreciating the fact that the best film award for 2011 has gone to two regional films — Deool (Marathi) and Byari (Byari) — Ansari said: “It is an under-appreciated fact that over 80% films certified in India every year for public exhibition are regional films.”

While Vidya Balan was conferred the best actress award for her role in Dirty Picture, Marathi actor Girish Kulkarni was adjudged the best actor for his role in Deool. Kids from the cast of Chillar Party, the best children film, also attended the function.