Balu Mahendra’s protégés - most of them directors of some repute now - had reason to smile when the 61st National Awards were announced. Their guru, who died after a after a massive cardiac arrest on February 13 last, amazed them by bagging the coveted Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration for his last film Thalaimuraigal. The recent honour took the tally of National Awards of the veteran cinematographer-director to six.
An emotional M Sasikumar, who had stepped in to produce the film when Mahendra found it difficult to find backers for what was to be his last movie, said, “It’s incredible that Balu sir’s first and last films both won national awards. This is an award for both Tamil Nadu and cinema. In the film, his last words to his screen grandson were, ‘Don’t forget thatha and don’t forget Tamil’. These words are his everlasting memory for the next generation of cinemagoers.”
Besides Thalaimuraigal, Thangameengal, a film about a father-daughter relationship, directed by Ram and produced by JSK Film Corporation, won the award for Best Tamil Film. Director Ram, who shared the award with the producer, said, “It’s sad that Balu sir is not with us. I dedicate my award to his memory. The national award is a fitting reward to the hard work of my team.”
Speaking to Express, producer J Satish Kumar said, “Receiving a National Award makes me both motivated and responsible in contributing to good cinema with renewed vigour.”
A surprise winner was Nakul’s basketball flick Vallinam, which bagged an award for Best Editor. An elated VJ Sabu Joseph (33) said, “It still hasn’t sunk in. I’m still on cloud nine! When Raja Mohammed, Pravin-Srikanth and Kishore won the national awards, I wished that someday my name would come on the list. I can’t believe that my dream has actually come true!”
Baby Sadhna Lakshmi Venkatesh, who was six years old when she acted in Thangameengal, has won the Best Child Artist award. The young actor spoke to Express all the way from Dubai. “I was watching TV when I heard the news and saw my parents crying in joy. I’m very happy and I thank Ram uncle who gave me this opportunity. I want to dedicate this award to my paternal grandfather who passed away in January. In fact, he used to always call me, ‘Chellamma, National Award winner, come here.’ It’s incredible that his words have actually come true,” the little actor said. When asked if she wanted to be an actor after the national recognition, pat came the reply, “I want to be a director.”