Staff Reporter: .Actors Sohail Rana and Suchanda receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 National Film Awards in recognition of their special contribution to Bengali cinema.

The 44th National Film Awards 2019 was held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Agargaon on Sunday (January 18). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the function through video conference from Ganobhaban.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud MP, who presided over the function, handed over the prizes to the winners on behalf of the Prime Minister. Sohail Rana, a freedom fighter and filmmaker is also known as Masood Parvez has dedicated The Lifetime Achievement Award In The Name Of The Father Of The Nation.

Sohail Rana made his debut as a hero in 1973 with the film 'Masud Rana'. Sohail Rana won the National Film Award 3 times.Addressing the Prime Minister Sohail Rana demanded special recognition for the National Film Award winners and lifetime achievement recipients.

Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda was born in Jessore. She started acting in films in the 80's. She is best known for the film 'Jeevan Theke Neya', released in the seventies and 'Jhinuk Mala' from the nineties.

The National Film Awards 2019 ceremony started at 10:30 am on Sunday at Bangabandhu International Conference Center. 31 awards have been given in 25 categories.

The first film award ceremony tookplace on April 4, 1986. The first Lifetime Achievement Award was launched in 2009.