The 71st National Film Awards brought a wave of excitement on Friday. These awards celebrate the best movies and performances from 2023. Director Ashutosh Gowariker, known for hit films like ‘Lagaan,’ was part of the important jury that decided the winners.
After the big announcements, media gathered to speak with Gowariker. He gave some memorable answers to their questions. One reporter approached him, saying they often watched his film, ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.’ Gowariker quickly smiled and corrected them. He said, “That is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film.” It was a light moment that showed his good humor.
Another journalist brought up a common question. They noted that Gowariker had seemingly not been very visible after his blockbuster film ‘Lagaan.’ The director, known for his witty comebacks, had a quick reply ready. He playfully shot back, “I think you stopped going to the theater after ‘Lagaan!'” Everyone had a good laugh.
The conversation then moved to a more serious topic. Gowariker was asked about ‘The Kerala Story’ receiving a National Award. He responded calmly, explaining that the decision was made with full agreement from everyone on the jury.
The awards recognized many great talents from the past year. ‘Kathal’ was honored as the Best Hindi Film. For Best Actor, the award was shared by two talented stars: Vikrant Massey for his role in ’12th Fail’ and Shah Rukh Khan for ‘Jawan.’ The Best Actress award went to Rani Mukerji for her powerful performance in the 2023 film ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway.’