Showing posts with label 72nd National Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 72nd National Awards. Show all posts
Without Tamannaah Bhatia, Aaj Ki Raat wouldn’t have reached where it has-Vijay Ganguly
2:43 PM
Tanvi Trivedi (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 17, 2026)
Winning the National Award for choreographing Aaj Ki Raat from Stree 2 is a milestone Vijay Ganguly says he never expected. While he hoped the song would connect with audiences, he did not anticipate it becoming one of the year’s biggest party anthems.
“When we choreograph, we always hope our work reaches the maximum number of people. But every song has its own fate. Sometimes you’ve done great work, but the song gets cut from the film or never reaches people. For instance, we had shot for a very beautiful song in Chhaava with Vicky (Kaushal) but in the end it got edited. With Aaj Ki Raat, we knew we had done a good job, but we had no idea it would connect with so many people. We just did our job and hoped it worked. And it did.”
He believes the song’s appeal came from its music and the way the choreography carried the same energy visually. “The audio was so good that everyone — from children to older people — connected with it. Once kids connect with a song, it becomes huge because they keep playing it everywhere.”
Ganguly also credits Tamannaah Bhatia for the song’s success. “Tamannaah definitely played a huge role because what people ultimately see is the performer. If she hadn’t performed the way she did, the song wouldn’t have reached where it has today. The biggest credit goes to her.”
A national award that adds to the family legacy
Vijay’s father, filmmaker Anil Ganguly, had won two National Awards. “My father had won two National Awards Best Story for Kora Kagaz (1975) and Best Feature Film in Hindi for Tapasya (1976). This is the third one coming into the house, but my first. It’s the biggest honour in the country.”
Dhanush on National Award backlash: "There were better films"
9:15 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 28, 2026)
Actor Dhanush has finally addressed the criticism surrounding his recent National Film Awards wins. While he received the Special Mention for Captain Miller, it was Raayan (both 2024) winning the Best Tamil Film that sparked widespread debate online.
Speaking at an event on Sunday, the actor admitted that there were stronger Tamil films released that year, but urged people not to overlook the effort he put into making the film. He said, “That year, there were definitely better films than that one (Raayan). The fans of those films expressed their love, and I fully respect them.”
He also recalled missing out on National Awards for acclaimed performances in Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005), Pudhupettai (2006), 3 (2012), Mayakkam Enna (2011), Vada Chennai (2018), Karnan (2021), and Raanjhanaa (2013). “You all told me I’d win again, but I didn’t,” he said.
Requesting people to celebrate his latest recognition, Dhanush added, “Some things simply fall into place on their own, no matter how hard you try; that is exactly how it happened for me. I got the opportunity. Regardless of how the film itself turned out, the effort I put into it was genuine. As a Tamilian, I have received two more National Awards; don’t brush this aside, celebrate it.”
He also quoted actor Ajith Kumar while encouraging his supporters to stay positive: “Just like our Thala Ajith Sir said, no one can defeat you until you admit defeat yourself. What do you say, baby? If you’re bad, I’m your dad.”
Vijay Ganguly on his National Award win: "I was just numb for five minutes"
9:25 AM
Tanvi J Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 24, 2026)
Vijay Ganguly says he never saw coming. The choreographer, who once had no interest in dancing, admits he is still processing the honour.
“I was just numb for five minutes. I couldn’t believe it. When messages started pouring, I realized, okay, this is really happening. I’m still processing it,” he says.
The award is especially meaningful for Vijay as it continues a family legacy. “My father had won two National Awards (Anil Ganguly received Best Story for Kora Kagaz and Best Feature Film in Hindi for Tapasya). This is the third National Award coming into our home. It’s a fantastic feeling,” he adds.
Ironically, Vijay’s journey into dance began almost by accident. “Growing up, I was never interested in dancing. I would only perform during Durga Puja celebrations. In 1999, just for fun, I enrolled in a Shiamak Davar dance class. I realized I really enjoyed it, and the rest is history,” he shares.
Looking back at Aaj Ki Raat, Vijay says he had hoped the song would connect with audiences but never imagined it would become one of the year’s biggest party anthems. “We knew we had done a good job, but had no idea it would connect with so many people. We simply did our job and hoped it worked. Everyone, from children to older people, connected with it.”
He is also quick to credit Tamannaah Bhatia for bringing the choreography to life. “Tamannaah definitely played a huge role because, ultimately, what people see is the performer.”
It’s just love: Vijay on his mother Rajani Ganguly’s viral dance reel
His mother, Rajani Ganguly’s dance reel on his song Shararat from Dhurandhar recently won hearts online. Vijay says the family never expected it to go viral. “I don’t share too many reels, but this one was special. Mumma loves dancing and she’s a very good dancer. We always feel people should see her dance. Whenever one of my songs becomes a hit or excites her, we ask her to dance and we post it. It’s just for fun. It’s not social media content that we expect will go viral. It’s just love.”
Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Mammootty, Dhanush headline the winners at the 72nd National Film Awards
8:36 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 19, 2026)
Firsts are always special, but they mean even more when they come as National Awards. Yami Gautam and Kartik Aaryan bagged their first National Awards in the Best Actress and Best Actor categories for Article 370 and Chandu Champion, respectively, at the 72nd National Film Awards, announced on Sunday. Aaryan shared the honour with Malayalam superstar Mammootty for Bramayugam.
Article 370 emerged as one of the biggest winners, also taking home Best Feature Film and Best Music (Songs) for composer Shashwat Sachdev.
Sachdev said, “I came into cinema with no inheritance, only a deep love for music, so this National Award feels like a beautiful pause to look back at every uncertain day, quiet sacrifice, and every person who stood by me.” Tamil film Amaran won three awards — Best Director, Best Music Direction, and Best Editing.
Rajkummar Rao-starrer Srikanth won Best Hindi Film. Director Tushar Hiranandani told mid-day, “Actually, for Srikanth, the only award that I won before was in Moscow. I was not even nominated in any other category, in any other awards. At last, I feel happy. I dedicate this to my mom and father-in-law, who passed away before the release.”
For Randeep Hooda the win for Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar came as a surprise. Reacting to the big honour, he said, “This film asked more of me than anything I’ve ever done. The journey was filled with challenges at every juncture, but I’m glad we saw it through and overcame each of those.”
List of winners
Best Feature Film: ‘Article 370’
Best Actor: Kartik Aaryan (‘Chandu Champion’) and Mammootty (‘Bramayugam’)
Best Actress: Yami Gautam (‘Article 370’)
Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (‘Amaran’)
Best Supporting Actor: Sanjay Mishra (‘Bhakshak’)
Best Supporting Actress: Ropashree Varkady (‘Mithya’) and Sachana Namidass (‘Maharaja’)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
Best Debut Director: Randeep Hooda (‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’)
Best Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: ‘Captain Miller’
Best Hindi Film: ‘Srikanth’
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