New Delhi, June 10 (ANI): The 54th National Film Awards for the year 2006 were announced today at Shastri Bhavan in New Delhi.

The Hindi feature film "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" has bagged the National Award for best popular film for the year 2006 for providing wholesome entertainment.

The film also bagged best awards in the categories of screenplay, lyrics and supporting actor.

Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film revalidates the philosophy of non-violence in a strife- torn world and helps to rediscover the Gandhi within the common man.

Best Hindi Film went to debutant director Dibakar Bannerjee's hit film Khosla Ka Ghosla.

The best feature film award has gone to Malayalam film "Pulijanmam" produced by M.G.Vijay. Best Actor award has gone to Soumitra Chatterjee for Bengali film "Podokkhep", while the best actress award has gone to Priyamani for her role in Tamil film " Paruthi Veeran".

Best film Director for the year 2006 has gone to Madhur Bhandarkar for Hindi film "Traffic Signal". Gurdas Mann has been selected for best Play Back singer for Punjabi film "Waris Shah" and best female Playback singer award has gone to Aarti Anklekar Tikekar for Konkani film "Antarnad". Ashok Patki has been chosen as the best music Director for Konkani film "Antarnad".

Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on National Integration has gone to Kannada film "Kallarli Huvagi". And, Kannada film "Care of Foothpath" has been chosen best Children's film.

Vishal Bhardwaj has been given a special Jury Award for Hindi film "Omkara" for an outstanding film that synergises international treatment with an earthy, rooted sensibility.

The awards for the year 2006 were delayed due to protracted legal hurdles said the Director Film Festivals, Neelam Kapoor. She also said that the process of selection of awards for the year 2007 and 2008 has begun.

The awards for 2006 will be presented by the President shortly. (ANI)