Mom's prayers are answered, says Sanjay Leela Bhansali

New Delhi: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Kangana Ranaut won the National Film  Awards for best actors in their respective category, while S.S. Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali was announced the best feature film on Monday. For Bachchan it was his fourth National award while it was a second consecutive best actress win for Kangana.

Monday’s awards announcement was dominated by Bollywood films in major categories while the regional films were restricted to playing second fiddle.  
73-year-old Bachchan won the best actor honour for his turn as a hypochondriac father in the road-trip family drama.

Kangana was declared the winner for her endearing dual role in romantic comedy Tanu Weds Manu Returns Filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, who  headed a 11-member jury, announced the awards in the national capital.

Romantic period drama Bajirao Mastani, starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, helped its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali win the best director honour, besides bagging five more honours. “This is my first National award as a director, it is really very special to me. My mother always prayed that I should get one and here I get it. Her prayers are answered,” Bhansali said.  

Much-acclaimed Masaan  had to contend itself with just a best debut  director award for Neeraj Ghaywan. Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan was named best popular film. The Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on National integration was  won by Nanak Shah Fakir.