New Delhi, April 16
‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, the Farhan Akhtar-starrer Hindi film on former ace athlete Milkha Singh was adjudged the best popular film for providing wholesome entertainment at the 61st National Film Awards announced here today.

Anand Gandhi’s debut film ‘Ship of Theseus’ (English-Hindi) was named the best feature film while the Indira Gandhi award for the best debut film of a director went to Marathi film ‘Fandry’.

Rajkummar Rao and Suraj Venjaramoodu will share the best actor award for their respective performances in Hindi film ‘Shahid’ and Malayalam film ‘Perariyathavar’. Geetanjali Thapa won the best actress award for Hindi film ‘Liar’s Dice’.

As per the 11-member jury, headed by noted directer Saeed Akhtar Mirza, Rajkummar’s portrayal of the intriguing journey of a Muslim young man who is persecuted, and who rebels and ultimately comes back to fight the injustice as a committed law abiding lawyer, brings to life the soul of Shahid Azmi.

On the other hand, Suraj’s ‘dignified and quiet’ portrayal of a man on the lower margins of the society, has been applauded as the actor ‘soulfully brought out (the character) with subtle body language and eyes which transcend words’.

Saurabh Shukla was declared the best supporting actor for court-room drama ‘Jolly LLB’, which was also named the best Hindi film.

The best supporting actress award is shared by Amruta Subhash for Marathi film ‘Astu’ and Egyptian actress Aida El-Kashef for ‘Ship Of Theseus’. In ‘Astu’, Amruta “touchingly portrays the emotions of a poor woman who brings to life compassion and warmth in dealing with human relationships”.

Aida’s sensitive portrayal of a blind photographer, who entirely depends on her intuitive creative power and has a fiercely independent mind, captivated the jury.