National Film Award-2012 announced

Late iconic author-playwright-film director Humayun Ahmed has won the National Film Award-2011 in the best director and best story writing categories for his last film ‘Ghetu Putro Kamola’ as the government has announced the names of the winners of the most prestigious award in the country’s film industry.

This year, the government has selected 24 artistes and others for the award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the country's film industry.

Faridur Reza Sagor’s “Uttorer Sur” bagged the best film award, said an official notification issued by the Ministry of Culture on Wednesday night.

The film “Ghetu Putro Kamola” has won eight awards in eight categories – best music director (Emon Saha), best child artiste (Mamun), best script writer (Humayun Ahmed), best choreographer (Mahfuzur Rahman Khan), best editing (Salim Ullah), best art director (Uttam Guha), best make up (Khalilur Rahman) and best costume direction (SM Mainuddin Fuad).

Noted actor and film personality Khalil Ullah Khan has been selected for lifetime award.

Protagonist of the film ‘Chorabali’ Joya Ahsan has won the Best Actress award, while Shakib Khan got the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance in the film ‘Khodar Pore Maa’.

Noted actor ATM Shamsuzzaman won the award for the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the film ‘Chorabali’, while Lucy Tripti Gomez bagged the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the film ‘Uttorer Sur’.

Shahiduzzaman Selim won the Best Villain award for his performances in the film ‘Chorabali’.

Emon Saha won the award for music direction in the film ‘Ghetu Putro Kamola’.

Mamun, who played the titular role in the film ‘Ghetu Putro Kamola’ also bagged the Child Artiste award.

Best male and female vocalists award for 2012 have gone to Palash, for his playback in the film ‘Khodar Pore Maa’, and Runa Laila for her songs in the film ‘Tumi Asbe Bole’.

Composer Milton Khandaker and lyricist Emon Saha have won awards for their works in ‘Khodar Pore Maa’ and ‘Pita’ respectively.

The story of ‘Ghetu Putro Kamola’ dates back almost 150 years ago, when Ghetu songs, a musical form that was prevalent in the wetland areas of the north-eastern part of the country.

Ghetu songs were known for their traditional tunes, but what set them apart was the accompanying dance by the performers - adolescent boys dressed as girls.

Ghetu songs had sexual overtones but that element is now missing.

Adolescent boy actors of the performing art form, popularly known as ‘Ghetu Putra,’ dressed as girls, used to entertain upper-class men by singing and dancing.
The film was shot in the wetland areas of Habibganj district.

The film was released in cinema halls in September 2012, but he could not see the release since he died of colorectal cancer on 19 July the same year while undergoing treatment at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, USA.

His first film, "Aguner Parashmoni", based on the liberation war, had won the National Film Award in a total of eight categories, including best picture and best director.

The film was released in 1996. Humayun Ahmed directed as many as seven films.