Director Tushar Hiranandani on National Award Win for Srikanth

The 72nd National Film Awards, announced on Saturday evening, delivered a mix of surprises and well‑deserved accolades. Among the winners, the Rajkummar Rao‑starrer "Srikanth" secured the coveted Best Hindi Film award, marking a significant triumph for the film and its director, Tushar Hiranandani.

Hiranandani, who directed the biopic about visually‑impaired industrialist Srikanth Bolla, expressed elation and disbelief at the win. "It feels surreal. I don't know what to say. I wasn't nominated anywhere else for any of the other awards, so it feels so justified and rewarding to win the biggest award in the country, and that too for best film. It says it all. I am so elated and happy," he said, noting that the recognition validates his efforts and the film’s intent.

The director also took the opportunity to thank key supporters. "I want to thank my wife Nidhi Parmar who produced the film when no one else was producing it. I dedicate this award to my mother and father‑in‑law, who passed away before they could see Srikanth," he added, speaking emotionally about the personal sacrifices that helped bring the project to life.

"Srikanth" tells the true story of Bolla, portrayed by Rajkummar Rao, with Jyotika as his teacher and Alaya F as his love interest. The film’s success at the box office, coupled with its inspirational message, underscores Hiranandani’s belief that the National Film Award is a testament to the film’s impact on audiences.

Looking ahead, Hiranandani said he remains focused on creating uplifting cinema. "The film did well at the box office too at the time of release, and these are the films that resonate with me, the films that I like to make. I like to make inspiring films and I take my time. It's been two years since Srikanth came and I haven't gone into my next film. I am still writing and these are the films I want to make. After I am gone, I want to be remembered for the films I've made, be it Saand Ki Aankh or Srikanth," he concluded, hinting at future projects while celebrating the current achievement.