Southern Film Industry bags 18 National Film Awards

Chennai, April 7, 2017: Southern films figured prominently at the 64th National Film Awards announced on Friday with "Pellichoopulu", "Puli Murugan", "Joker" and "24" bagging top honours.

The six industries of the south — Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu and Konkani — bagged a total of 18 awards.

In Tamil filmdom, critically-acclaimed political satire "Joker", actor Suriya-starrer science-fiction thriller "24" and "Dharmadurai" bagged a total of six awards.

Raju Murugan-directed "Joker" bagged Best Tamil Film and Best Playback Singer for Sundara Iyer.

"24" pocketed awards for Best Production Design for Amit Ray and Subratra Chakraborty, Best Cinematography for Tirru and Best Visual Effects.

Veteran lyricist Vairamuthu won his seventh National Award for the song "Endha pakkam" from Vijay Sethupathi-starrer "Dharmadurai".

Telugu industry bagged a total of three awards.

Indie romantic-drama "Pellichoopulu" was awarded the Best Film in the language, while "Shatamanam Bhavati" bagged the Best Popular Film award for providing wholesome entertainment.

Raju Sundaram bagged the Best Choreographer award for NTR-starrer "Janatha Garage".

Malayalam industry bagged five awards including Best Film for "Mahesinte Prathikaram" and Best Actress for Surabhi C.M. for her film ""Minnaminungu – The Firefly".

Adhish Praveen won Best Child Artist for "Kunju Daivam".

Peter Hein bagged an award for Best Stunt Choreography, introduced for the first time, for "Puli Murugan".

Superstar Mohanlal won a Special Jury award for his performances in films such as AA"Puli Murugan", "Janatha Garage" and "Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol".

While Kannada industry bagged two awards, Konkani and Tulu industries pocketed an award each.

Best Kannada Film award went to "Reservation", while Bapu Padmanabha won the Best Music Director award for the film "Allama".

"Madipu" won the award for Best Tulu film and "K Sera Sera- Ghodpachem Ghoddtelem" was awarded the Best Konkani film. (IANS)