National Award 2017: Ajay, Tapsee, Shoojit and Madhu Chopra express their gratitude
Mumbai: The 64th National Film Award, today announced the list of the best’s in the creative field.
‘Pink’, which swept the entire nation with its hard-hitting message, bagged awards at almost all the award functions hosted this year.
However, after getting bestowed with the prestigious National Award, Shoojit issued a statement thanking his fellow mates from 'Pink' saying, “I would like to humbly thank my entire team for this huge honour. ‘PINK’ would not have been possible without Mr Amitabh Bachchan and his support and I would like to also thank my friend and Producer Ronnie Lahiri, Director Aniruddha, my writer Ritesh Shah and my lovely cast and crew for coming together with me. I would also like to thank the National Award jury for bestowing one of the most respectable laurels on us, and 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 to taking ‘PINK’ to larger audiences.”
Actor Akshay Kumar won his first National Award for Best Actor in ‘Rustom’, after which the overjoyed wife Twinkle Khanna took to Twitter to share her happiness which read: I don't know if I am crying or laughing-emotions all over the place-So proud of you @akshaykumar you smart, humble, amazing creature!
Ajay Devgn’s pet project ‘Shivaay’ received the Best Special Effects Award. Following which Ajay who could hardly contain his excitement said, “I feel delighted that Prestigious 64th National Award for Best Visual Effects has been awarded to our very own Naveen Paul of NY VFXWALA for our film 'Shivaay’. Many Congratulations to Naveen and the entire team of NY VFXWALA. I'm thankful to the honourable jury but I have to say that I am not at all surprised by their decision. This indeed is a well deserved win.”
Fim ‘Neerja’ which promoted women empowerment bagged the Best Hindi Film Award, along with a Special Mention Award to its lead actress in the film Sonam Kapoor.
Thrilled Sonam Kapoor says," I honestly wasn't expecting this. I couldn't be happier because this is the most prestigious award and that much more special . I'm so overwhelmed right now."
An excited Atul Kasbekar, producer of ‘Neerja’ asserted, “No one could have scripted this. The recognition that Neerja has got from everywhere is genuinely humbling.
Ram Madhvani and I were clear that we'd be achingly honest in its making.
Deeply grateful that Fox Star backed us with guts, supported our vision and made every effort to make Neerja happen. Special thanks to the Bhanot family for their trust and faith. We don't know why they trusted a first time producer and director but we are so grateful that you did.”
To which even the CEO of Fox Star Studios, Vijay Singh added, “It is a huge honour for Fox Star Studios to have got this incredible recognition from the National Awards picking 'Neerja' as the Best Film! It's hugely exciting and humbling that we are now the only Studio to have won two National Awards for Best Film (‘Jolly LLB 1’ and now ‘Neerja’). This recognition gives us further confidence to back great stories and push the envelope on content. As a Studio we are committed to creating content that not only entertains audiences but also makes us proud of our heritage & culture!”
Tapsee Pannu, who played one of the crucial roles in the film, further expressed her joy asserting, "I always believed this film has a potential to bag all possible recognitions on this planet and m happy the national award jury validated my belief. A beautiful team effort that gets applauded. This film shall forever be etched in my memories. As an artist it escalated me to greater heights and as a person it helped me strengthen my belief in my judgement."
Also, Madhu Chopra, mother of Priyanka Chopra, is overwhelmed on receiving two National Awards for their regional film ‘Ventilator’ under their home production Purple Pebble Pictures. The film was honoured with the Best Editing and Sound Mixing Award and for Best Direction. 'Pink', on the other hand, won Best Film on Social Issue.
Besieged by this acknowledgement, Madhu Chopra told Deccan Chronicle, “It’s surreal! What started as a dream for Purple Pebble Pictures has turned into reality, and the credit goes to the entire team for making it a huge success. I’m grateful to the audience for appreciating the film, which is very close to my heart.”
Zaira wasim who bowled us with her performance in Aamir Khan's blockbuster 'Dangal' won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the National Awards.
She excitingly says, "I am extremely happy. I would like to thank the jury for conferring on me this honour. My heartfelt gratitude to my family for believing in me and to Aamir Sir and Nitesh Tiwari Sir for supporting me. It is very encouraging to receive an award of this stature in my debut film, the appreciation has only got me more excited to work harder."
There was also a Special Mention Award for the film ‘Mukti Bhavan’ at the National Awards. Delighted to which, its director Shubhashish Bhutiani said, “I am so honoured and thrilled to receive this award. It's a film so close to my heart and I am so glad that Adil has been recognised. He is one of India's best actors. It is such a wonderful coincidence that we have received this honour on the day of the films release. I hope this only encourages people to go see the film.”
Malayalam actress Surabhi Lakshmi for ‘Minnaminungu’ won the Best Actress award at the National Film Awards.
