Chhichhore emerged as the Best Film (Hindi) at the 67th National Film Awards on Monday. The win of Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor starrer, which is about not giving in to despair and accepting life’s curveballs, is bittersweet for its team. Sushant’s death in June last year left India shocked, with many are still demanding ‘justice’ for him.
Film’s producer Sajid Nadiadwala dedicated the award to Sushant. “On the behalf of NGE I dedicate this extremely prestigious award to Sushant Singh Rajput. We can’t get over his loss ever but I sincerely pray that this award gives a little bit of happiness to his family and fans which includes me. And I am tremendously grateful to Nitesh Tiwari for giving us all this very special movie,” he said.
Chhichhore’s National Award dedicated to Sushant Singh Rajput: ‘Hope it gives happiness to his family, fans’
Kangana Ranaut thanks Manikarnika, Panga teams after National Award win: 'Please share the award with me'
On the film’s win at the prestigious awards, director Nitesh Tiwari told indianexpress.com, “It comes as a pleasant surprise actually. We weren’t expecting it at all. We are filled with mixed emotions because on one hand there is the happiness of getting a win and on the other hand there’s the feeling of loss of someone I was very close to. But I am sure Sushant would be very happy with this win wherever he is.”
Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, who played the role of Derek, also remembered Sushant. “I feel incredibly grateful to have played the part of Derek and been a part of Chhichhore. It will always be a special film to me. Nitesh Tiwari and Sajid Nadiadwala captained this ship, and it was an ace team to have been on. The film was about never allowing society to decide if you are a winner or a loser but fighting the very notions of these labels and finding your own happiness.
“I feel so rewarded that we’ve been recognised by country’s highest award for the film . This definitely makes all the work that went into creating it, worth it, and the film even more special to all of us. As we celebrate our big win, today will also be a day of remembrance and gratitude for Sushant without whom this story would never have been told,” he said.
Actor Tushar Pandey also told indianexpress.com, “I am filled with gratitude and very delighted at Chhichhore’s big win. I am in the middle of a performance so I couldn’t speak to Nitesh sir or Varun or anyone in the team. But it’s a great feeling.”
The 67th National Film Awards were announced on Monday evening in New Delhi, with the honours for films from the year of 2019. The event is organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals, which comes under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Director Priyadarshan's Malayalam war epic Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, that is headlined by Mohanlal, won Best Feature Film. The film is yet to release in theatres, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The best acting honours went to Manoj Bajapayee for Bhonsle, Dhanush for Tamil film Asuran, and Kangana Ranaut for two of her films: Panga and Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.
Vijay Sethupathi (Super Deluxe) and Pallavi Joshi (The Tashkent Files) won the supporting actor awards, while director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan was awarded for Bahattar Hoorain.
(With inputs from agencies)