Bollywood hits it big at 66th National Films Award.
The Magnificent awards ceremony, the 66th National Films Festival 2018 was held at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. The award had been postponed due to General election this year.
Bollywood hit the right chord by winning several awards for different categories. Ayushmann Khurana and Vicky Khaushal won the Best Actor for films Andhadhun and URI: The surgical strike respectively.
Commenting on the win Actor Ayushmann Khurrana said this, “It’s truly humbling and hugely gratifying to win the coveted National Awards. As an artist, I have always tried to back disruptive content that stands out for its quality content. Today’s honour is a validation of my hard work, my belief system, my journey in movies and my reason to be an actor in the first place. Over and above my personal win, I’m thrilled that both the films that I have done – AndhaDhun and Badhaai Ho have won at the prestigious National Awards. It again validates that people of our country want to see cinema that entertains, that they can cherish, discuss and endorse.
AndhaDhun is a path-breaking film and Sriram Raghavan deserves all the accolades for creating a new genre of cinema for Indian audiences to enjoy. I have been truly fortunate to be a part of Sriram Raghvan’s vision and congratulate my director for his genius. As an artist, 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 ok to see this kind of cinema. I’m glad that a subject like Badhaai Ho also won big today and I congratulate my director Amit Sharma for his breakthrough script that became a talking point in every household. It was a pleasure to collaborate with a forward thinking creative mind like him and again disrupt the stereotyped notions of what Hindi cinema should be.
I will continue on this journey to discover and back cinema that truly stands apart and brings people back into the theatres.”
Vicky Khaushal also expressed his happiness by sharing a post on twitter, “ Words might fall short to describe the happiness I’m feeling right now. For my work to be recognised by the the honourable National Film Awards Jury is truly a moving moment for me and my family. I wish to thank each and every member of the jury committee for finding me worthy of the prestigious Best Actor Award for my work in URI: The Surgical Strike.” The actor lastly congratulated Ayushmann Khurrana for jointly winning the title. He dedicated this award to his parents, URI cast, Nation and Armed forces.
Padmavaat directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali won 3 awards at the ceremony. Kruti Mahesh Madya and Jyoti Tomar won best Choreography award for the song Ghoomar. Arijit Singh won Best Male Playback singer for the song Binte Dil and Sanjay Leela Bhansali won Best Music Direction.
“It means a lot to me. I made ‘Padmaavat’ through so much chaos and trouble. And everytime we go through a lot stress I would go to the studio and start making a song. I make my music with so much love. It is a big moment for me because it is a first national award as a music director so it means a lot to me. You always as a director like to win award as a best director award but this one also feels very good.Any recognition and especially coming from the government, means a lot. It is a pat on the back,” said Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
He further added, “Music is everything to me in my films. I have grown up listening to a lot of music and that’s how I work after hearing the music of all the great musicians and composers over the years and learnt and all that I was putting to use.”
Co-producer Twinkle Khanna of the film PadMan Starring Husband Akshay Kumar which won award for the Best Film Social Issue. tweeted about the achievement, “Thank you! Completely overwhelmed- I was in the car when-saw this very tweet and discovered we actually won the National Award #Padman
Actor Akshay Kumar was delighted by the news and he said this, “ I was in the midst of Mission Mangal promotions when Twinkle called me asking if Pad Man had actually won a National Award for Best Film On Social Issues. The tiredness of promotions vanished on hearing the news. I remember how, on the sets of Pad Man, Sonam and I got the news of winning our respective National Awards last year. So life has come a full circle. I couldn’t be happier for Twinkle for winning the award with her debut production and, of course, R. Balki for putting it all together, besides the entire team behind Pad Man. Not just that, Swanand Kirkire won Best Supporting Actor for Chumbak, a Marathi film I presented. It’s been a rewarding day.”
“I am out of country but this is so overwhelming. To do a film on such a subject on the main stream areas is unheard off and this film got a huge change and awareness. Pad man will always remain close to my heart and this feels special,” said Padman director R.Balki.
Badhaai Ho won the awards for the Best Popular Film and actor Surekha Sikri won awaed for the Best Supporting Actress in the film.
Describing the joy ang excitement director Amit Sharma said, “I am speechless I had no idea about awards and business when I was making this film the live that I got for this film was overwhelming.
National award is a prestigious award and it really means a lot for everyone. It was such a simple subject and a simple story We have made this with utmost honesty.
I am extremely happy.”
“I’m very very happy..I would like to thank everyone associated with the film. I don’t really know what to say..It is the highest honour of our country. I thank all those who felt I was worthy of this award,” said Surekha Sikri expressing her gratitude towards the win.
The list of winners of the 66th National Films Award 2018:
66th National Film Awards for 2018 announced
Gujarati film Hellaro wins Best Feature Film Award
Badhaai Ho bags award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Hindi movie Padman declared Best Film on Social Issues
Aditya Dhar wins Best Director Award for Uri: The Surgical Strike
Ayushman Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal jointly won Best Actor Award for their performances in Andhadhun and Uri: The Surgical Strike
Keerthy Suresh bags Best Actress trophy for her performance in Telugu movie Mahanati
Marathi movie Paani wins the award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/ Preservation.
Kannada film Ondalla Eradalla gets Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration
Uttarakhand declared Most Film Friendly State.