Actor Salim Kumar, who usually restricts himself to comedy roles, has won the National award for best actor.
The award was given for his role in the Malayalam film ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’ [Abu, son of Adam.] The film also won the award for the best feature film as well as several others like that for the best sound track.
Tamil Actor Dhanush also got the best actor award for his role in Aadukalam.
The actor, a resident of Kochi, has primarily acted in comedy roles, but has done a few ‘character roles’ as well. One of his memorable performances was in the film ‘Achan urangatha veedu’ (the House of Sleepless Father) in which he portrayed the father of a victim of child abuse in Kerala.
The role had won him the Kerala State Film Award for the Second Best Actor in 2005.
In 2010, he acted in films such as Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum, Pokkiri Raja and Kaaryasthan.
Salim Kumar thanked the jury for the award, while fellow actor Dileep joked that the several awards to Malayalam films were thanks to the absence of Malayalees on the jury.
Best cinematographer (camera man) award went to Madhu Ambat, while best audiography went to Ishqiya. Marathi actress Mitalee Jagtap Paradhar won the National Award for best actress for her performance in the movie “Baboo Band Baaja”.
Tamil director Veerimaran was named best director
Other awards:
Best music direction: Vishal Bharadwaj (Ishqiya)
Best hindi film : Do Dooni Chaar
Best production design/special effects : Yantiran (Robot)
Best English Film : Memories in March
Best singer male : Suresh Wadekar
Best singer female : Rekha Bharadwaj