National Film Awards: Prakash Raj best actor



Bharati Dubey, TNN 7 September

MUMBAI: The National Film Awards for 2007 are likely to be announced shortly. And it is neither Shah Rukh Khan nor Aamir Khan but Tamil actor

Prakash Raj who gets the best actor award for 2007 for his performance in Tamil film "Kanchivaram".

Raj has earlier won the best supporting actor award for his film "Iruvar" in 1998 and a special jury award in 2003.

Umashree gets the best actress award for her performance in Girish Kasaravalli's Kannada film "Gulabi Talkies".

"Kanchivaram" has also been chosen as the best film for 2007. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film depicts the lives and times of silk-weavers of Kancheepuram in pre-Independent India.

The best child actor award goes to Sharad Goyekar for his role in the Marathi film "Tingya".

Darshan Zariwala gets the best supporting actor award for his role in Feroz Abbas Khan’s film "Gandhi My Father".

There is also a special jury award for this film, which explores the troubled relationship between Harilal Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi.

"Chak De" gets the award in the wholesome entertainment category and "Taare Zameen Par" in the family welfare category.

Playback singer Shankar Mahadevan has won the award for the song "Meri Maa" from the film "Taare Zameen Par".

The jury was headed by Sai Paranjpe; other members included Ashok Viswanathan and Namita Gokhale. About 102 films and 106 non-feature films were considered.