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Problem 9 - Entrance Test

The National Film Awards are prestigious. Which experimental film, directed by Mani Kaul in 1973, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film but faced significant criticism for its non-narrative structure and poetic realism, leading to intense debates about the definition and accessibility of art cinema in India?

Correct: A

'Duvidha' (1973), directed by Mani Kaul, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. Its highly stylized and non-narrative approach, based on a Rajasthani folk tale, sparked considerable controversy. Critics and audiences debated whether such a challenging film should receive the top national honor, highlighting the ongoing tension between mainstream and art cinema in India. 'Uski Roti' was an earlier experimental film by Kaul, but 'Duvidha's award win specifically led to these public debates.