‘I was numb’
Kartik Aaryan was in disbelief after winning the National Award for Best Actor. “I was numb when I heard about the honour. Of course, I had hoped to win for Chandu Champion. We all worked hard on it. But hoping is one thing and actually winning is quite another. And to share the honour with the great Mammootty sir… wow!”
' A dream i carried in my heart’
Yami Gautam was overwhelmed. She posted on insta, “Receiving the National Award for Article 370 is an honour I will cherish for the rest of my life. For fourteen years, I have simply tried to stay true to my craft, work with honesty and let my performances speak for themselves. This honour feels like the culmination of a journey filled with hope, perseverance, resilience and an unwavering love for cinema. It is a dream I have carried in my heart for years, and today I receive it with immense gratitude and humility.
“Article 370 was never just another film for me. It was a story I deeply believed in. The fact that it was our home production makes this recognition even more emotional and personal. Every challenge, every conversation and every day on set was driven by one shared purpose — to tell this story with honesty and conviction.”
‘god has been kind’
Winning his third National Award, music composer G. V. Prakash Kumar remains as grateful as ever. “God has been kind. Every song is a new beginning for me. I’ve been working in Tamil and Telugu cinema for nearly twenty years and have composed music for more than 120 films. I hope to complete twenty more before this decade ends.
“There have been many turning points in my career. My first film, Veyil, won a National Award. Then came Polladhavan and Aadukalam. With Soorarai Pottru, I won the National Award for Best Music Director, and then again for Venky Atluri’s Vaathi. It’s been a beautiful journey so far.”
‘proud honour for the entire family’
Director Nag Ashwin, whose Kalki 2898 AD won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, said, “I am very happy about this recognition — not just for the Kalki team, but for everyone involved. I hope it inspires filmmakers to believe that hard work eventually pays off.”
Reacting to the prestigious honour, Prabhas took to his Instagram Stories to share the official award announcement poster with his millions of fans. The actor expressed his happiness and pride over the recognition, celebrating the achievement with the entire team behind the film. Sharing the post, he wrote, “A proud honour for the entire #Kalki2898AD family…”
Sanjay Mishra won the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for Bhakshak. He says the honour is deeply humbling. “As an actor, all you really hope for is to keep getting good stories and meaningful characters to play. When that journey is recognised with an honour as prestigious as the National Film Awards, there can be no greater feeling. I am deeply grateful for this recognition. Bhakshak is a very important film, and this honour belongs to the entire team.”
Director Tushar Hiranandani, whose Srikanth won the National Award for Best Hindi Film, dedicated the honour to two loved ones he lost. “What can I say… I am truly happy and thankful to the entire jury, and also to my mother and my father-in-law, whom I lost before the release of Srikanth. I am sad they couldn’t see the film. I lost both of them to cancer. Winning the National Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, feels incredible. I wasn’t even nominated for many of the popular awards, so this makes the recognition even more special.”
Producer Shobu Yarlagadda welcomed the recognition for Telugu cinema. “It’s amazing news and a wonderful recognition for Telugu cinema at the national level. What’s especially gratifying is that the honoured films represent every scale of filmmaking — from a massive production like Kalki to a small gem like Committee Kurrollu.”
— Shobu Yarlagadda
Reacting to Telugu cinema’s haul at the National Awards, producer-actor Nagarjuna said: “I feel extremely proud and happy. Nine National Awards… wow! I am still taking it all in. This is irrefutable proof that Telugu cinema is a major force in Indian cinema.”
— Nagarjuna
After Mammootty bagged his fourth Best Actor honour for Bramayugam at the 72nd National Film Awards, son Dulquer Salmaan hopped on Instagram with humour: “Another one? Yes Pa! It’s like your FOURTH!” The imaginary exchange that followed was peak DQ:“What about you? Win anything?” “Er No!” “No pressure son! You do you.”
— Dulquer Salmaan
After pouring everything into Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Randeep Hooda says winning the National Award for Best Debut Director is immensely validating. “This film asked more of me than anything I’ve ever done. The journey was filled with challenges, including production hurdles and criticism, but I’m glad we saw it through. As actor, co-writer and first-time director, I gave this film everything because I felt a huge responsibility to tell Veer Savarkar’s story with honesty. I’m grateful to my team. This recognition belongs to all of us, and I hope it inspires people to reflect on Veer Savarkar’s legacy.”
As told to Puja Talwar
