The 65th National Film Awards will be announced on Friday by the jury headed by renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. The 10-member-panel comprises screenwriter Imtiaz Hussain, lyricist Mehboob, actress Gautami Tadimalla and Kannada director P. Sheshadri among others.
The awards are expected to be announced at 11:30 am. Last year, Akshay Kumar bagged the Best Actor award for Rustom. Malayalam actress Surabhi Lakshmi won the Best Actress award for her role in Minnaminungu. Sonam Kapoor got a special mention for her portrayal of air stewardess Neerja Bhanot in Neerja. Zaira Wasim won the Best Supporting Actor award for her role in Dangal.
Though there is no one from the Malayalam film industry on the panel, Mollywood is hopeful of bagging some key awards this year. Films such as Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Take Off, Bhayanakam, Alorukkam, Ottamurivelicham and Angamaly Diaries are among the films that are considered probable winners in various categories.
Last year, Syam Pushkaran won the award for Best Screenplay (original) for Maheshinte Prathikaram. Adish Praveen won the Best Child Artist award for his role in the Malayalam film Kunju Daivam, and the Best Children's Film award went to Dhanak.
Special Jury award was given to Mohanlal for Pulimurugan, Janatha Garage and Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol.
Malayali actress Parvathy, who won the best actress award in the International Film Festival of India, Goa last year for her performance in Take Off, is believed to be a top contender for the award for Best Actress. Parvathy had also won the Kerala State Film Award for her role as an Indian nurse, who works in Iraq, and is held hostage along with her colleagues by terrorists.
From Tamil, Aruvi, Tharamani and Aram are among the top contenders.