V Shantaram Award for Mani Ratnam

By: Settu Shankar
Monday, 26, November, 2007

Bollywood Superstar Shahrukh Khan was adjudged the best actor for his role in Chak De! India at the V Shantaram awards announced here today. Chak De! India, a film on hockey, was adjudged the best feature film. Mani Ratnam walked away with the Best Director award for his Guru, which also won the trophies for Best Music and Best Cinematography.

Last year's blockbuster Lage Raho Munnabhai won three awards for Best Supporting Actor, Best Story and Best screenplay. Chak De won the Gold for Best Film, its director Shimit Amin won silver for Best Director.

The Awards instituted in 1993 by V Shantaram Foundation, are deemed "the industry's own, by the film people for the film people", and are a precursor to Bollywood award season. Chak de also won Best Sound and Best Editing categories. The Yash Raj production is the challenging tale of a coach and his team of 16 girls.