National Film Awards: Prakesh Raj – Best actor

Tamil actor Prakash Raj has won the best actor award at the National Film awards for his performance in the Tamil film Kanchivaram. Prakash Raj had earlier won the best supporting actor award for his film Iruvar (Directed by Mani Ratnam) in 1998 and a special jury award in 2003.

The National Film Awards for 2007 were announced on Monday. The list of awards were finalized last week but because of the death of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy, the announcement was postponed.

Apart from Prakash Raj, Kannada actress Umashree got the best actress award for her performance in Girish Kasaravalli"s Kannada film Gulabi Talkies. Renowned film maker in Malayalam Adoor Gopalakrishnan was selected as best director for his film Naalu Pennungal.

Kanchivaram has also been chosen as the best film for 2007. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film depicts the lives and times of silk-weavers of Kancheepuram in pre-Independent India. Darshan Zariwala got the best supporting actor award for his role in Feroz Abbas Khan"s film Gandhi My Father. There was also a special jury award for this film, which explores the troubled relationship between Harilal Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi.

Chak De India bagged the award in the wholesome entertainment category and Taare Zameen Par in the family welfare category. Playback singer Shankar Mahadevan has won the award for the song “Meri Maa" from the film Taare Zameen Par. The best child actor award went to Sharad Goyekar for his role in the Marathi film Tingya.

The jury was headed by Sai Paranjpe; other members included Ashok Viswanathan and Namita Gokhale. About 102 films and 106 non-feature films were considered.