Pallavi Joshi was fast asleep when the 69th National Film Awards were being announced, naming her as Best Supporting Actress for The Kashmir Files (2022).

“I was asleep, it was 6 am here in Chicago. I started getting calls and that’s when I got to know,” she tells us, adding, “For the longest time, it didn’t sink in that I got the award. We are on a tour to promote our upcoming film The Vaccine War, so what better way to celebrate this.”

The film also won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, calling for double the celebration. “Hearing that our film won in the category of national integration was the icing on the cake. What we wanted to say through the movie, I think, got underlined and recognized. So, it’s a great feeling. I am very thankful to the jury. I would like to dedicate this award to the entire persecuted community all over the world,” says Joshi.

The Kashmir Files was not free of controversy upon its release. But, despite the backlash, the film won several hearts. “Not many people disliked it; otherwise, the film wouldn’t have been a blockbuster. But yes, it (National Award) is an answer to those criticizing the film. It also brought great jubilation among the Kashmiri Pandit community. I am feeling great; let them (those opposing the film) feel whatever they have to feel now. I have done my job by spreading the message,” she signs off.