A standing ovation for thespian Dilip Kumar, who bagged the lifetime achievement award, and massive applause for Sanjay Dutt starrer "Lagey Raho Munnabhai" took the centerstage at a glittering ceremony for the 54th National Film Awards 2006 today. Director Tapan Sinha was presented with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema. The award was received by his son Anindya Sinha on his behalf as the veteran filmmaker was unwell.

Other lifetime achievement awards "One Time Lifetime Achievement Award" went to melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and Saroja Devi to commemorate the 60th year of Independence.
While Mangeshkar's award was received by her nephew Adinath Mangeshkar, it was thespian Dilip Kumar who evoked a standing ovation from the audience when he stepped on the dais to receive the honours from President Pratibha Patil.

"Lage Raho Munna Bhai" became the first Hindi film to repeat the feat of winning the most entertaining film award as its prequel "Munnabhai MBBS" had bagged the honour in 2003.

Veteran Bengali film actor Soumitra Chatterjee was conferred the best actor award for the Bengali film "Podokkhep", while Priyamani won the best actress award for the Tamil film "Paruthiveeran".

Madhur Bhandarkar bagged the best director award for his film "Traffic Signal", while "Khosla Ka Ghosla" won the award for the best Hindi film.

Malayalam film "Pulijanmam" directed by Priyanandanan, won the honours for the best feature film. "Kabul Express" directed by Kabir Khan shared the honours with Madhu Kaithapuram's Malayalam film "Ekantham", for the Indira Gandhi award for the best first film of a director.

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