Unrewarded despite delivering a string of commercial hits and adapting himself to experimental and character roles for sometime now, actor-star Akshay Kumar won the National Award for best actor after his punchy performance in Rustom. And while Shoojit Sircar’s courtroom drama Pink was adjudged the best film on social issues, the mainstream Hindi film industry lost out to regional cinema which was the prized pick of the jury.
Even as Aamir Khan’s Dangal was largely expected to successfully bridge the critic’s view with popular, pan-India judgement, it just about managed to pick up best supporting actress for teen Kashmiri actor Zaira Wasim.
Marathi film Kasaav was named best picture while another Marathi film, Ventilator, was chosen as the best directorial effort. For the record, Ventilator has been produced by actress Priyanka Chopra, who is sensing much possibilities in regional films. The jury, headed by filmmaker Priyadarshan, chose Neerja, a story on flight attendant Neerja Bhanot, who was killed by terrorists while saving passengers after her flight was hijacked, for the best Hindi film award. Its lead actress Sonam Kapoor received a special mention for her performance. The best popular film providing wholesome entertainment award was given to Telugu film Sathamanam Bhavathi and Malayalam actress Surabhi CM was announced the Best Actress for Minnaminungu — the Firefly. Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dhanak was named the best children’s film while southern icon Mohanlal got a special mention by the jury for three separate outings.
Explaining the scorecard, Priyadarshan said, “Bollywood films have not lost but regional cinema has excelled this time. New attempts and content were there from the regional filmmakers’ side. That’s why they have dominated.
It’s not that Bollywood was bad. It’s because these people (of regional cinema) were better. The selection criteria was basically on quality and the content of films. Regional films did well in both ways.”
He added, “With my 40 years’ experience, I kept it in my mind that I will look at films as a jury chairman. Also, the jury was equally supportive of me. There is no biased decision made in any of the categories. That’s why you find a very well-balanced result. What I must mention is that regional cinema has catered some really brilliant films this year, which was not the case last year. It has really improved its content and quality. That’s why we had a tough time in deciding the winners.”
Akshay Kumar generated a lot of buzz for playing the role a patriotic naval officer in Rustom, who ends up in jail after killing the lover of his wife. The film, directed by Tinu Suresh Desai, was loosely based on the murder of Prem Ahuja by Commander K M Nanavati. Asked about the same, Priyadarshan said, “For the best actor category, we had four people in the final round. Akshay had two films (Airlift and Rustom), Mohanlal had three films. Besides them, there were two Bengali actors. Sometimes, an actor looks impressive because of a tailor-made role. But that’s not an actor. An actor is somebody who does different roles and survives for years... So considering that we found Akshay the suitable one.”
Asked why Aamir Khan’s Dangal, which broke various records at the box office upon its release, was not considered worthy for most of the categories, Priyadarshan said, “Dangal was recalled actually. I called it back to see it again. But Dangal missed out because of the powerful regional films. It’s not because of anything else. Some of the Marathi and Bengali films were brilliant and better.”
Both Sonam Kapoor and Akshay Kumar shared their surprise on a photo-sharing platform. “Who would’ve thought!! Shocked and grateful!! All the way from maheshvar!!! #nationalawards #neerja #rustom @akshaykumar,” Sonam wrote with the post. Sonam and Akshay are currently shooting in Maheshvar for their film Pad Man. It will be produced by Twinkle Khanna.
Said Kumar, “It is great news. National Film awards are the most prestigious awards in the country. It is a moment of pride for sure. The first reaction, honestly, was if this was a late April Fool’s joke (laughs)! Actually, I am still trying to process this win, it is a mix of many emotions — surprise, happiness and, most prominently, gratitude to the jury, makers of the film, my parents and, of course, my beloved fans.” Kumar, who has a Midas touch and is a consistent hitmaker, has always been overlooked by the lobby-driven film industry awards. Something he has taken in his stride with a smile on his face. Perhaps that’s why he said, “Itna keh sakta hun mai ki ye award bhi maine imandari se jita hai. Maine aaj tak cheating nahi ki. (I have won the award on the basis of my honest efforts and have not cheated). Neither have I ever made a call to anyone to win an award nor have given money or done favours for it.”
Actress Priyanka Chopra’s maiden Marathi production Ventilator also picked up best editing and best sound-mixing awards. Co-produced by her mother Madhu Chopra under their production banner Purple Pebble Pictures, the film revolves around an ailing senior member of a family who is being put on the ventilator just days before the popular Ganpati festival, leading to varied degrees of speculation and panic among the clan he belongs to. Director Rajesh Mapuskar, who also wrote the film, felt it all seemed like a dream. “I’m speechless! Winning a National Award for my debut Marathi film is nothing less than a dream come true. I’m really grateful to the entire team, especially producers Priyanka and Madhu, for backing the project and their belief in me,” he said.
Producer Shoojit Sircar felt humbled by the acknowledgement of Pink. “It would not have been possible without Mr Amitabh Bachchan and his support...I feel more responsible now to persevere ahead with the film and its cause. I will not celebrate this award in the usual manner but will dedicate it to taking Pink to a larger audience.”
Meanwhile megastar Mohanlal,who won the Special Jury Award, expressed happiness over commercially successful movies being considered for the honour. “It is a great thing,” he said, elated over the jury’s consideration of his acting in a Telugu movie Janatha Garage along with his Malayalam movies for the award. Mohanlal won the Special Jury Award for his roles in Pulimurugan, Mundhirivallikal Thalirkkumbol and Janatha Garage, which were box-office hits.