KOLKATA: When Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar 's Marathi film titled " Kasaav " ("Turtle") was screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) last year, one of the most important questions doing the rounds was why it had not made it to the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).The Indian Panorama had dropped "Kasaav" and Adoor Gopalakrishnan 's "Pinneyum", both of which were screened at KIFF. On Friday when "Kasaav" won the National Award for the Best Feature Film, for many it seemed like a happy irony. How does a movie that doesn't even make it to the Indian Panorama win the National Award for the Best Feature Film?However, social scientist-researcher Bhave, who is recipient of Chitra Ratna Puraskar and Kamdhenu Award for literary contribution, didn't want to stir up a controversy by raising the same question. "I feel sorry about it. But I always think that getting an award depends on the choice of the jury. I wouldn't want to pay much attention to this. Being selected for an award is actually a matter of being liked by a team of people at a particular point of time," she said.She pointed out that in the field of art, opinions are often polarised. "What can you do about it? It is not fair on my part to blame the jury. In general, people have this habit of saying a jury is fair if a film is awarded and unfair if it misses the prize. I don't want to do that," she said.Bhave had turned to filmmaking with Sukthankar in 1985. They have directed 14 feature films like 'Doghi', 'Vastupurush', 'Devrai', 'Nital', 'Bewaqt Barish', 'Gho Mala Asala Hawa', 'Ek Cup Chya', 'Mor Dekhane Jungle Mein', 'Samhita & Astu', over 50 short films, five TV serials and telefilms. Feeling the urge to independently and artistically express the socially important subjects, the director-duo also became producers. Under the banner of Vichitra Nirmitee, they have produced and directed short films like 'Pani', 'Chakori', 'Laha' and feature films like 'Zindagi Zindabad', '10th F', 'Badha' and 'Ha Bharat Maza'. Their films have received six International Awards and 11 National Awards already.Bhave is particularly happy that the National Award for "Kasaav" has come to her on April 7 which is also the World Health Day. Each year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) selects a theme highlighting a particular priority area of public health. The theme for this year's global health awareness day is 'Depression: Let's Talk'. "This film is about mental health and it feels special to get this award on World Health Day. That the jury chose a film on this subject only goes on to say that kind of issue deserves attention," she pointed out.The National Award citation states that it was given to the film in appreciation of the "perfect blend of an environmental behaviour and a personal one in a poignantly beautiful cinematic way". "Kasaav" is about Janaki, a divorcee trying to find meaning of life in a sea-turtle conservation project run in a coastal village. She accidentally meets an anonymous young man Manav who has escaped from the hospital where he was admitted for attempted suicide. Janaki tries to create a non-judgmental, non-intrusive and warm atmosphere to help him bloom. Along with her driver-assistant Yadu, conservationist Dattabhau, domestic help Bablya and street-kid Parshu, she becomes the vulnerable young Manav's support system. "I have a special fascination for turtles. A turtle is an animal which is extremely non-violent. If attacked, it go into its own shell but never engages in any counter-attacks. For patients dealing with mental health issues, it is important to give that space and comfort zone to help them heal," she said.On being asked about the directorial treatment in the film, Bhave said it doesn't have anything "dramatic" happening in it. "The film is subtle and quiet. Some have said that 'Kasaav' is about depression. But it is not so. It is about how to overcome depression."The film was selected for the 17th Annual New York Indian Film Festival. "It has been screened in various Indian festivals including Trivandrum. I was in Kolkata. That was the second film festival where 'Kasaav' was screened. I will be off to Stockholm for a screening too," she concluded.