16 September,2010 09:07 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
The students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) kept alive the tradition of winning popular awards. The winners of 57th National Film Awards were declared on September 15 and the films made by the institute have bagged eight awards.
Pankaj Raj, director of FTII who flew from Delhi late in the evening said they were overjoyed with the news. "We are proud and I hope the trend continues. It's celebration time for us," said Raj.
The films that won the awards are Ekti Kaktaliyo Golpo, directed by Tathagata Singha, and Vaishnav Jan Toh, directed by Kaushal Oza. Both shared the Rajat Kamal Award for Best Debut Non-feature Film and will get a cash prize of Rs 37,500 each for the producer and director.
Cameraman Deepu S Unni got the Rajat Kamal Award for Best Cinematography for Gaarud. He will get a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
The Rajat Kamal Award for Best Audiography for Re-recordist - final mixed track - went to Lipika Singh Darai who won a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
Nikita Bhagat got a special mention for camera work in the film Vilay. Singha who is in his final year direction course was overwhelmed. "I actually hadn't expected it and it came as a surprise but now that I have received the award, it feels amazing.
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It's great that our work has been appreciated but I think there's lot to learn," said Singha, who is working on a project now.
Deepu, who is currently holidaying in his hometown in Kerala, said: "I can't explain the feeling. My family members are so excited but I miss being in the institute. The feeling would have been different then." He said the award would help him get noticed by experts from the industry.
