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New Dehli, Sep 9: From Arbaaz Khan and Arindam Chaudhuri to Anant Mahadevan and Aishwarya Narkar, they all said that receiving a National Film Award from President Pratiba Patil Friday was a 'fantastic moment'.

Dadasaheb Phalke award winner veteran Tamil filmmaker Balachander said it is never too late to get an award.

'I feel happy. I'm asked whether the award has come late, and I don't think it's ever late to get an award. Whenever it comes, it is an honour. I am inspired to do more films,' he said the director of hits like 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' and 'Sindhu Bhairavi'.

Hindi blockbuster 'Dabangg' starring.

New Delhi, Sep 9: Bollywood remained low-key as southern movies took away the lion's share of awards at the 58th National Film Awards ceremony, where singers like Rekha Bhardwaj and Suresh Wadekar enthralled the audience with their award-winning numbers, here Friday.

Veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balachander, director of hits like 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' and Sindhu Bhairavi', was the cynosure of all eyes as he came to accept the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.

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Veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balachander, the director of hits like .Ek Duuje Ke Liye. and Sindhu Bhairavi. and who has won numerous national and Filmfare awards, has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Friday for 2010 for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema, it was announced here Friday.The award, given on the recommendations of a committee of eminent persons, consists of a Swarn Kamal, a cash prize of Rs.10 lakhs and a shawl.Balachander will be conferred the honour by President Pratibha Patil at the National Film Awards later this year, the dates for which are yet to be announced.Multifaceted Balachander, 81, has been a director, screenplaywriter and producer and has written, directed and produced more than 100 films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada in his 45-year-long career.Known for his distinct filmmaking style, Balachander focused on unusual or complicated inter-personal relationships and social themes.

K. Balachandar

K. Balachander, the veteran filmmaker, has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2010. The award is conferred by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema.

The award consists of a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs.10 lakhs and a shawl. The award is given on the recommendations of a committee of eminent persons.

K. Balachander has been film director, screenwriter and producer for more than 45 years. He has written, directed and produced more than 100 films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style.

Born in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu in July 1930, Balachander came into prominence as a playwright with his dynamic plays like ‘Major Chandrakanth’, ‘Server Sundaram’, ‘Naanal’ and ‘Neerkumizhi’. These plays enjoyed huge popular and critical acclaim.

He entered the film industry in 1965 and shot into fame with...