Subhash K Jha (DNA; September 20, 2016)

While the nation has drawn out its claws to ridicule and condemn the conferring of the Smita Patil Memorial Award to Katrina Kaif, Smita’s son thinks otherwise.

Says Prateik, “I heard that Katrina would be receiving the Smita Patil award this year for her contribution to Indian cinema. Neither my family nor I had a clue about which actress was chosen for the award till I received a call from a journalist asking me if Katrina is deserving of the award.”

Prateik, who is now following his mother’s footsteps by doing theatre, admits he has been following the trolls who are against Katrina’s selection for the award. “I am aware of the ongoing drama and debate over the same on Twitter. My mother was a beautiful, talented, independent and self-made woman. She was extremely hard-working. She worked her way to the top. She was also very popular and was considered to be a strong contender for the No.1 position during her time. Kat is all that, too.”

He adds, “Katrina is absolutely deserving of the award! My family and I would like to congratulate and wish her all the love and luck for a bright future! Good luck, Kat!”