Winners share their euphoria

Winners share their euphoria

MUMBAI/PUNE: Winners of the 66th National Film Award which was declared on Friday shared their excitement. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose Padmaavat won Best Music Director, Best Male Playback Singer (Arijit Singh for Binte Dil) and Ghoomar won Best Choreography said, “I’m very happy and honoured. Music has always been an important part of my life so this award is very special.” This is his fifth National Award. 

Akshay Kumar, whose Pad Man won the Best Film on Social Issues, said, “I was in the midst of Mission Mangal promotions. All my tiredness vanished after hearing this. Life has come a full circle and I couldn’t be happier.” He added, “Swanand Kirkire won the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for Chumbak, a Marathi film which I presented. Overall, it’s been a rewarding day.” 

Aditya Dhar’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful Uri-The Surgical Strike took home some major awards. The film won Best Actor Award for Vicky Kaushal, Best Director and Best Sound Designer. Dhar said, “15 years of failures, rejections and hard work has lead to this moment. Thank you India, thank you Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and all the jury members for considering me worthy enough. This is an honour I am going to cherish for the rest of my life.” 

“Being conferred with the National Award has been a dream since the time I understood what films meant to me. Thanks to my family and friends for their unconditional support. Thank you Ronnie Screwvala and my entire team of URI for giving it all. I am dedicating this award to every brave soldier of our country and their families. Thank you for your sacrifices. You have selflessly dedicated your life to serve us and now it’s our time to dedicate everything we have to serve you. Jai Hindi!!,” he further added. 

Vicky Kaushal said that words might fall short to describe his happiness. “For my work to be recognised is truly a moving moment for me. I thank the members for finding me worthy. I am also very happy to be sharing the award with someone whom I admire. Ayushmann, congratulations brother,” said Kaushal.  

Its double celebration for Ayushmann Khurrana who won Best Actor for Andhadhun, which also won the Best Hindi Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. His other release, Badhaai Ho! won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Supporting Actress Award for Surekha Sikri. Khurrana said that it’s truly humbling to win the coveted award. “As an artiste, I have always tried to back disruptive content that stands out. Today’s honour is a validation of my hard work, my belief system, my journey and my reason to be an actor. I’m thrilled that both the films have won.” 

He added, “I have been truly fortunate to be a part of Sriram Raghvan’s vision and congratulate him for his genius. As an artiste, AndhaDhun challenged me and I strongly feel it made me a better actor. With Badhaai Ho! again I took up a taboo topic because I believed that people would be okay to see this kind of cinema and I congratulate director Amit Sharma for his breakthrough script that became a talking point.” 

Marathi filmmaker Shivaji Lotan Patil whose film Bhonga won the Best Marathi Film said, “It’s such an amazing feeling winning this award for the second time. I have made Bhonga with a lot of hardship because no one was willing to back the film till my friend and I decided to make it. I did not want to keep the script and if I would’ve done so, I couldn’t have won the award. My only hope is that films like Bhonga should reach the masses.” 

FTII STUDENTS WIN AWARDS
Two students from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune have also won at the National Awards. Neeraj Singh won Special Jury Award for Art Direction for Sathak Bhasin’s Ekaant and Ramana Dumpala’s Glow Worm in a Jungle won Special Mention Award for Director.

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