Manoj Bajpayee’s first tryst with the National Film Awards was when he won the Best Supporting Actor for Ram Gopal Verma’s Satya. A few years later, his film Pinjar was honoured with the Special Jury Award (Feature Film). In 2021, he also won the Best Actor award for his gritty performance in Bhonsle. And at the 70th National Film Awards, it was announced that Manoj has received a Special Mention from the jury for his performance in Gulmohar. The movie also won the Best Hindi Film and the Best Dialogue awards.
Earlier, Sharmila Tagore exclusively told us that after she came to know of it, she immediately spoke to Manoj. Speaking to News18 Showsha exclusively, Manoj now says, “When Sharmila ji and I spoke after the win, it was a moment of shared pride and joy. Working with her on this film was an honour, and to have Gulmohar celebrated in this way feels like a validation of all the hard work and passion we poured into it.”
For Manoj, Gulmohar is a rather special film and to get a Special Mention for the same brings him a lot of joy. “This achievement is incredibly meaningful to me, particularly because Gulmohar is such a special film. The themes we explored in the film resonate deeply with me, and to see it recognized on such a prestigious platform is both humbling and rewarding. This recognition reinforces why I do what I do, and it inspires me to continue telling stories that matter,” he adds.
Each time he wins the national honour, it reminds him of the boy from Bihar who came to Mumbai with big dreams in his eyes. “Every time I am honoured with a National Award, it takes me back to those early days in Mumbai when I was just a young man with a lot of hope. The journey has been long and filled with challenges, but awards like these remind me of why I started and how far I’ve come,” he says.
The Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai and The Family Man actor continues, “They are a testament to the perseverance and dedication it takes to turn dreams into reality. It’s a humbling experience that grounds me and makes me grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, the people who’ve supported me, and the incredible journey that continues to unfold.”
Expressing her excitement, Sharmila, while speaking to us, had said, “Imagine, what a big win it is for Rahul V Chittella (director). Gulmohar is his first film and this honour really means a lot to him. The film also won for Best Dialogues. It was sheer joy speaking those beautiful lines. I had a great time shooting for this film and shooting for those scenes with Amol Palekar. I’m so happy for all of us. I would like to sincerely thank the jury who must have deliberated on this for hours and to the government of India,” she remarked.
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