The other hauls by the State film industry included best Kannada film award for Gopalakrishnan Pai’s “Kanasemba Kudureyaneri” and the best adapted screenplay slot to Girish Kasaravalli.

Bachchan was chosen for his “age-defying” performance as a Progeria-affected 13-year-old by a jury headed by Director Ramesh Sippy. This is the fourth national award for the veteran actor, who has earlier been selected as best debut actor in “Saat Hindustani” and best actor in “Agneepath” and “Black”.

Ramachandra P N’s “Putaani Party” shared the Swarna Kamal for the best children’s film along with Shivan’s Malayalam flick, “Keshu”, further adding to the State’s presence at the awards. K Puttaswamy’s book “Cinemaa Yaana” published by Hasiru Prakashana won the Swarna Kamal for the best book on cinema. Shaji N Karun’s Malayalam film, “Kutty Shrank”, bagged the Swarna Kamal for the best film. The best actress award went to Ananya Chatterjee “Abohoman”, the Bengali film that also won Rituparno Ghosh the best director award.