More women should participate in film industry: president

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Noting with appreciation the increased participation of women in the Indian film industry, President Pratibha Patil Friday hoped that the trend would continue in order to make the industry 'truly representative'.

Speaking at a function to give away the National Film Awards 2005 at Vigyan Bhawan here, the president also urged the film industry not to exist in an 'isolated vacuum' but be socially responsible and committed to upholding human values.

'The greater participation of women in the Indian film scenario, especially as filmmakers, is a positive trend that I hope will continue in the future, ensuring that the industry is truly representative,' the president said.

'The Indian film industry must ensure that it is socially responsible and committed to the greater cause of upholding human values.'

The president gave the best actor award to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for 'Black' and the best actress award to Sarika for 'Parzania'. The best film award was given away to Bengali film 'Kaalpurush' and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to eminent director Shyam Benegal for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.

The president said that Shyam Benegal's socially relevant films and 'his commitment to the cause' had helped popularise films and raise their quality.

Best child artiste award winner Sai Kumar of Hyderabad came in for a special mention by the president. Congratulating him, Patil said: 'I hope that he attains still greater heights of success.'

Budhadeb Dasgupta's 'Kaalpurush - Memories In The Mist' bagged best feature film, while 'Rang De Basanti' got the best popular film award providing wholesome entertainment.

The information and broadcasting ministry had announced a total of 50 awards.

'Rang De Basanti' producers UTV Motion Pictures and Rakesh Omprakash Mehra Pictures (P) Ltd received a Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.40,000. Director Rakesh Omprakash Mehra received a similar award.

'Rang De Basanti' also received awards for best audiography and best editing.

Amitabh Bachchan received a Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.10,000.

'Black' also won two other awards - Best Hindi Film and Best Costumes- with fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee sharing the second award with Anna Singh ('Taj Mahal').

The best direction award went to Rahul Dholakia for 'Parzania' in English. He received a Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.50,000.

The Indira Gandhi award for the best first film of a director went to Hindi film 'Parineeta'. Director Pradeep Sarkar and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra each received a Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.25,000.

The Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on national integration went to Malayalam film 'Daivanamathil'. Producer Aryadan Shoukath and director Jayaraj each received a Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.30,000.

'Iqbal' in Hindi won the best film on social issues. Producer Subhash Ghai and director Nagesh Kukunoor each received a Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.30,000. Naseeruddin Shah got the best supporting actor for 'Iqbal'.

Anupam Kher won a special jury award for his 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara'.

Another special jury award was won by 'Final Solution' (in Hindi/Gujarati/English) directed by Rakesh Sharma.