The 51st National Awards were announced on August 14, 2004, and presented by the President of India A P J Abdul Kalam on February 2, 2005 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Noted director Mrinal Sen was awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award.
Tamil actor Vikram bagged the Best Actor National Award for his performance in Bala's Pithamagan. Malayalam actress Meera Jasmine bagged Best Actress for T V Chandran's Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam.
Photographs: Ranjan Basu/ Saab Press
Design: Dominic Xavier