National Award winners on why this trophy is 'a big deal'

Manoj Bajpayee in Bhonsle

Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Bajpayee and Dhanush (Asuran) took home the big titles in the acting categories at the 67th National Film Awards, which were announced yesterday. Priyadarshan's Malayalam film, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, won the Best Feature Film title, while Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan was named Best Director for Bahattar Hoorain. Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's film, Chhichhore, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, took home the Best Hindi Film award. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala says, "I dedicate this prestigious award to Sushant. We can't get over his loss, but I pray that this award gives a little bit of happiness to his family and fans, including me. And I am tremendously grateful to Nitesh for giving us this special film."

Bajpayee, who won for Bhonsle, tells mid-day, "I thank my director, Devashish Makhija, [and producers] Sandeep Kapoor and Piyush Singh. I am grateful to everyone who believed in this film and supported it. "

Marathi film Anandi Gopal was recognised by the committee

Best Supporting Actress Pallavi Joshi (The Tashkent Files) says she "wasn't expecting" to win. "I knew that because of the pandemic, award functions weren't being held. I assumed that they would either cancel it, or club projects across two years. When I heard Vivek's [Agnihotri, husband and director] name, I was elated. This is his first National Award. It was a well-researched and well-written film. It took a moment for me to register my win because I had forgotten that I had acted in it. I was reminded of my first National Award win in 1994. Today is no different. This award is a big deal because it carries opinions of the finest talents. The icing on the cake is that the President gives you the award."

The film picked up the honour for Best Dialogue. Agnihotri, who has also penned it, adds, "I was told this film has no screenplay and was too verbose. It was sabotaged after being stuck for a long time. We contributed in raising important questions about the right to truth in a democracy. When it released in 150 screens, it ran for 125 days, because the audience came to watch it. My view has been vindicated. I feel empowered to write good stuff. I dedicate this to Lal Bahadur Shastri."

Pallavi Joshi in The Tashkent Files

In a joint statement, the team of Marathi film Anandi Gopal, which won Best Production Design and Best Film On Social Issues, said, "We are humbled, honoured, and ecstatic. This was a labour of love; our first film and first National Award. The win has been a dream come true for all of us. We can only attribute the win to the passionate work of each and every one in the team."

Other winners include Vijay Sethupathi, who took home the Best Supporting Actor award for Super Deluxe.