Who was the first recipient of the Best Actor at the National Film Awards?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1: Uttam Kumar.
Explanation:
The very first National Film Award for Best Actor was conferred upon the renowned Bengali actor, Uttam Kumar.
• Year: This award was presented to him in 1967 (during the 15th National Film Awards ceremony).
• Films: He was jointly honored with this distinction for his brilliant performances in two Bengali films—'Anthony Firingee' and 'Chiriyakhana'.
• Historical Significance: Although the National Film Awards were instituted in 1954, the individual acting categories (such as Best Actor and Best Actress) were introduced only in 1967.
List of First Award Winners (1967):
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor | Uttam Kumar | Anthony Firingee and Chiriyakhana |
| Best Actress | Nargis Dutt | Raat Aur Din |
| Best Director | Satyajit Ray | Chiriyakhana |
Additional Information (from an examination perspective):
- 1. Most Frequent Winners: Amitabh Bachchan (4 times), along with Mammootty and Kamal Haasan (3 times each), are the prominent names in this category.
- 2. First Hindi Film Actor: Ashok Kumar (Option 3) received the Best Actor award in 1968 for the film 'Aashirwad'; he was the first Hindi film actor to win this award.
- 3. Current Format of the Award: Currently, the winner is presented with a 'Rajat Kamal' (Silver Lotus) and a cash prize.
Important Questions for Upcoming Examinations:
Question: Which film was the first recipient of a National Film Award?
Answer: The Marathi film 'Shyamchi Aai' (1954).
Question: Who won the first National Film Award for Best Actress?
Answer: Nargis Dutt (Film: Raat Aur Din).
Question: Who was awarded the Best Actor prize in 2024 (at the 69th Awards)?
Answer: Allu Arjun (Film: Pushpa: The Rise).