National Film Award For Best Feature Film in Tamil - Winners

For bold experimentation in a conservative milieu; for poetic intensity on a variety of levels; for creating a parable set against the orthodoxies and superstitions of a Brahmin village community; for its sympathy with the dumb world of animals and the equally dumb world of handicapped human beings; for the memorable impression it leaves on the minds of the viewers through the striking visual use of the verses of Subramanya Bharati, the first Tamil modernist.

For artistically portraying the gradual development of a girl from adolescence to womanhood, for depicting in a gentle moving narrative her emotional suffering and how she overcomes them.

For powerfully projecting the helplessness of a village community living in a drought-affected area and its valiant efforts to solve its problem through self-help being thwarted by an insensitive administrative system.

For focusing attention on the important topical problems of pollution and industrial exploitation.

For its honesty of purpose to articulate the cause of tribal welfare.

For a love story about the suffering of a man who is destined to live with his memories, spending his last days in a hut on the banks of river in idyllic surroundings.

For its sensitive portrayal of an urban young woman's voyage to self-discovery.

For a deeply compassionate portrayal of a middle class working woman with an old grandfather and sister as her dependents, attempting to retain the integrity of her family in the present day urban milieu.

For its depiction of the transforming effects of a woman's courage and devotion on her husband.

For the unusual usage of film form, utilising music, choreography and sound with depth, achieving the highest aesthetic excellence to narrate the emotional nearness of the mentally retarted.

For the truthful and effective portrayal of juvenile romance ending in unexpected tragedy.

For its dynamic deptiction of educated youth who returns to his roots to fight injustice and in the process is forced to unleash the animal within him.

For depicting the aspiration and frustrations of the protagonist, his separation from reunion with his children, spanning a vast canvas of various cinema skills put together into an epic saga of a struggle against justice.

For professionally assembled tale of a college professor who encounters student violence, marked by several impressive performances.

For a most heart breaking portrayal of the unrecognised and lonely life of people who fought for the freedom of this country.

For a charming love story with unusual twists and turns of fate told in an interesting manner with good production values.

For the film's stylised, evocative presentation of a theme that introspectively and in a silent, subtle manner says a loud "NO" to violence.

For telling the story of a theatre manager and his passionate bonding with his audience. A bomb is discovered in the theatre bharat talkies during show time but removed in the nick of time saving the lives of those in the audience. In denouncing violence, the film makes a strong statement against terrorism.

For an impressive debut by a director with a commendable grasp of the grammar of mainstream cinema. It deserves special mention for combining popular elements with the unconventional.

For depicting the life and times of Subramaniya Bharati in a very authentic manner, unfolding the history of our freedom struggle. The compositions of this great visionary poet stand out with great relevance today.

For depicting a thought provoking story about crime, based on ideology. It reflects upon life, death and justice.

For its superb craftsmanship and commitment to a contemporary tragedy.

For a rich visual portrayal of a love story set against a unique canvas.

For its credible exploitation of the world of the third gender blended with director’s own cinematic style.

For its imaginative portrayal of a young girl who travels between past and present time zones.

For a moving portrayal of sibling bonding in a turbulent family.

A biographical feature which takes on issues like superstition, untouchability, widow remarriage etc by forcefully depicting the life of the great social reformer Shri E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker popularly known as Periyar.

For its engaging depiction of a father and son relationship.

For the unconventional, imaginative and energetic joyride of children that is delightful and uplifting.

For an emotive articulation of the combative spirit of a mother for whom her son’s happiness is paramount.

For its inventive mix of folklore, politics and rural deprivation. Instead of mimicking the grim realities of an illiterate, poor and barren village, the director paints the hopeful desires of brick-kiln workers and their children who want to come out of their desolation to redeem themselves. The story is set in1968 when Tamil Nadu undertook a series of social reforms.

A love story unfolding to a horrific tragedy and the ugly face of an unforgiving system come through strongly in this well-narrated film.