President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil will give away the 57th National Film Awards today (October 22) evening at a glittering function to be held in the plenary hall of Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Mrs. Ambika Soni , Minister of Information & Broadcasting, will also be present on the occasion.

The highlight of the 57th National Film Awards has been the introduction of some new award categories based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee set up under Shyam Benegal.

From Kollywood director Pandiraj will receive the national award in the Best Dialogue category, for his film ‘Pasanga’. Best Dialogue category is a new category being introduced from this year. Two of the child actors from the same film, Sriram and Kishore will get the Best Child Actors award.

‘Pasanga’ film is also winning the Best Tamil Film Award of the year. M. Sasikumar, Samuthirakani, Pandiraj, Kishore and Sriram are already in Delhi to receive their awards.

Maestro Illayaraja, who has won the national award for the Best Music Director (Background Score) for the film ‘Pazhassi Raja' will not be there receive the award in person.

Other awardees in this year’s event include Amitabh Bachchan as the Best Actor and Ananya Chatterjee as the best actress.

The Veteran Film Producer Dr. D.Ramanaidu will be honoured with the Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2009.

Listen to 'Pasanga' songs on Raaga!