Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was chosen the best actor for his role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed film Black that also stars Rani Mukherjee, while Rahul Dholakia was adjudged the best director for his debut film Parzania (in English) based on the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.

The best actress award went to Sarika for her role in Parzania, which also stars Naseeruddin Shah. The film's release in Gujarat ruled by BJP had run into trouble following refusal by exhibitors to screen the film.

Kaalpurush stars Rahul Bose and Sameera Reddy, known more for her sizzling role in Bollywood films. Veteran actor Mithun Chakrabarty also plays a key role in the film. Chakrabarty had earlier done the lead role in the Dasgupta's Tahader Katha.

"Obviously it's nice to receive the National Award," said Dasgupta who began his celluloid journey in 1979 with Durotto (The Distance). The Naxalite movement had also formed the background of two of his earlier films Grihajuddha in Bengali, arguably his best film, and Andhi Gali in Hindi.

For 64-year-old Amitabh Bachchan, the recognition for his role in Black is his third National Award for best actor as he had earlier won it for his roles in Agnipath and his debut film Saat Hindustani. Black has also been adjudged as the best Hindi feature film.

Aamir Khan-starrer Hindi film Rang De Basanti, directed by Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra, bagged the award for the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.

The Indira Gandhi Award for the best first film by a director went to Pradeep Sarkar for his Parineeta (Hindi), starring Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan.

The best supporting actor award was bagged by Naseeruddin Shah for his performance in Nagesh Kuknoor-directed Iqbal, the story of a physically-challenged youth's ambition to become a cricketer, while the same award in women's category went to Malayalam actress Urvashi for her role in Achhuvinte Amma.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher was given a special jury award for his performance in Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, directed by Jahnu Barua.

Playback singers Naresh Iyer got the National Award in male category for his rendition of the hugely popular song Roo ba roo in Rang De Basanti and Shreya Ghosal for Apne asoo peene ke liye in Paheli.

The declaration of the awards was delayed by about a year because of a Bombay High Court order that had directed consideration of uncensored films for the competition. The high court had stayed announcement of the awards, which was vacated by the Supreme Court.

Leading documentary film-makers Anand Patwardhan and two others had moved the high court in the year 2006 seeking exemption for their films from obtaining censor board clearance prior to entering the competition.