The Mahesh Babu-starrer Maharshi and Nani starrer Jersey won awards at the 67th National Film Awards announced on Monday. Maharshi bagged the prize for the ‘Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment’ while choreographer Raju Sundaram was awarded for his song in the movie.
Jersey was awarded Best Telugu Film and Navin Nooli was adjudged the Best Editor. Maharshi’s director Vamsi Paidipally was ecstatic! “Exactly last year, on March 22, the government announced the lockdown, and I was dejected, And on this March 22 I won a National Award, and my hopes came alive,” he said.
“When the film was released last year, we won the hearts of the audience, and triumphed at the box office, so that was the biggest blessing. And now to get a National Award is the icing on the cake,” he shared.
So what does this success mean to him, we asked? “It means everything. I started my career as an assistant director and I thought it would be great if I became a director. And now I won a National Award! As I look back, I see that my journey has been full of surprises,” he replied.
The movie is about weekend farming, and how to handle material success.
“Several people who watched the movie have taken up weekend farming and I still get calls about it. It made me very happy, but now that the film has won a National Award, my joy knows no bounds,” Vamsi said.
Attributing the success to team work, the director said Mahesh and the entire Maharshi unit were thrilled. “I think this National Award has once again proved what teamwork can do; so this award will be dedicated to the entire team,” he stressed.
Nooli dedicates award to mom
Navin Nooli, who won the National Award for ‘Best Editor” for Jersey, says it was an emotional moment for him. “When I learnt the news that I had won a National Award, I was thrilled. I want to dedicate this award to my mother for all the sacrifices she made for me. Today is indeed a special day for me,” Naveen shared.
Director Gowtam Tinnanuri said that Jersey has been a special film in more than one way. “During the filmmaking we found our eyes getting moist, and that’s something unique. It just goes to show how emotional the scenes are and what it meant for us,” he revealed.
