National Film Award For Best Film On Social Issues - Winners

For its sensitive and probing treatment of a vital social issue.

For rendering in a poetic, at the same time, sociological manner, the ordinary theme of the construction of a dam, its allied good and its consequences that would be the harbinger of progress.

For the meticulousness of its investigation and the clarity and conviction with which it carries the story of the non-violent resistance of the people of Baliapal against the establishing of a missile testing range of their rich and fertile lands.

For being illuminating exposition of a very humane philosophy, preaching universal brotherhood, harmony and equality of all living beings.

For effectively portraying the fundamental problem of drinking water and the steps being taken to solve the problem, without descending to propaganda.

For portraying with sympathy and understanding the plight of the so-called possessed women.

For portraying the courage of women in fighting alcoholism among the menfolk of the community.

For the critical presentation of the phenomenon of witches and witch-hunting, provoked by forces within and outside, which is symbolic of the exploitation of a tribal community.

For its conviction, courage and relentless observation, tempered by a sharp sense of irony.

For exposing with insight the fear psychosis and humiliation of women in the patriarchal Indian society.

For highlighting with sensitivity and sincerity, the agony of the tribal woman of Thrinelli, Kerala.

For an authentic portrayal of the struggle for identity empowerment by the underpriveleged girl child.

For its original reflection on the subject of sex-workers.

For its documentation of the social issue of caste politics and the ensuing ruthless violence in Bihar.

For its in-depth probe that unveils the illegal migration of Bangladeshis into India and the urgent need to address this issue on humanitarian grounds.

For dealing with the lives of the mentally challenged, the trauma of their relatives and the endless effort of the teachers to bring hope to this segment of the society.

For its sensitive and direct portrayal of the predicaments and crisis of homosexuality both for the individual and his family. The short film powerfully covers a large canvas bringing together a team of outstanding new talent from the FTII led by Manisha Diwedi.

For its recounting of a remarkable journey to a homeland lost for ever, as a result of partition. A family driven out of East Pakistan during partition, undertakes a journey back after fifty years to their "homeland". The journey eventually turns into a story of painful memories, lost relationships and the madness of partition- all achieved through a touching personal narrative.

For presenting the distress of a child widow and her graduation over reality with subtle and sensitive cinematic treatment.

For a Film on a little known subject that stirs the conscience and emotionally involves the viewers in the lives of the workers.

For gently drawing attention to the deprivation experienced by the children of nomads and for creating sensitive interaction between an urban child and a group of nomadic rural children.

For its spontaneous and multilayered depiction of the life of a child living in a railway station. He is shown on the borderline between a struggle for survival and a life of crime.

For handling the discrimination that Muslim women face in Tamil Nadu from some of the conservative clergy. The film successfully brings out the story of a woman activist who has galvanised the socially depressed women into fighting this gender discrimination.

For a compelling portrait of a woman who rises above her circumstances in an unconventional way, carving out a position for herself irrespective of how others view her.

For the journey of two adivasi women from Jharkhand, finding their identity and dignity using language – one through poetry and the other through grassroots journalism. The film creates a space where the narratives of the women emerge as powerful tales of their struggle for empowerment.

For bringing alive a motivational and touching story of indomitable human spirit and resilience. The struggle of an HIV patient who overcame all odds and barriers to win Mr. India title.

To cross the line of limit, becomes an issue of indifference. Along this line, the documentary projects the serious social issue of human trafficking in a very thought provoking manner through stark and gravitating images. It airs an intriguing atmosphere of concerns through dramatised and realistic imageries.

For compassionately revealing the differently enabled and their needs for intimacy, sexuality and identity.

For sensitively highlighting the frustrations of a young Kashmiri footballer in his efforts to acquire a passport against the backdrop of socio political turmoil in the region.