Cinema VinesThe 72nd National Film Awards, announced this Saturday, highlighted the best of Indian cinema, and among the standout recipients was choreographer Vijay Ganguly, who secured the National Award for Best Choreography for his work on the song “Aaj Ki Raat” from the film Stree 2. The accolade marks a significant milestone for Ganguly, who has long dreamed of this recognition.
Ganguly shared his surprise in an exclusive interview with HT City, explaining that he was in Thailand when the winners were announced and had no idea he had won until he finally connected to the internet. “I was not expecting this at all. I’ve been hoping for it for a very long time, ever since I was about five years old and understood what a National Award meant because those awards were always there in my house,” he said. He added that his father, a two‑time National Award winner, had always inspired him, yet he never anticipated receiving the honor himself.
After returning to his hotel, the choreographer’s phone was flooded with congratulatory messages. He recalled the moment he saw his sister’s call and the announcement, describing it as a stunned, numb five minutes where he could not process the news. “I was wondering why everyone was congratulating me. Then I saw my sister’s calls and her message with the announcement. I was just stunned,” he said.
For Ganguly, the award is not just a career milestone but a profound emotional validation. He emphasized that the National Award is “the biggest recognition any technician can ever dream of receiving,” and that seeing “sincere work” acknowledged without labels or biases means everything to him. He expressed genuine excitement, stating, “I’m just so happy that good work is being recognised.”
Ganguly dedicated the award to his parents, recalling a light‑hearted promise he once made to his father that he would bring home a third National Award. “I would dedicate this award to my father and my mother. Ever since I was young, I would joke with my father that he had won two National Awards and one day I would get him the third one. It was always said in fun, but somehow it has happened,” he said. He also noted his mother’s perseverance through illness, underscoring that the award belongs to both of them.
While celebrations have already begun at home, Ganguly is eager to return to India to celebrate with his family. He told HT City that his sister, Rupali Ganguly, and his mother are already celebrating via videos. “I’m returning in a couple of days, and then we’ll all get together and have a proper family celebration. It will be a special reunion,” he added.
Reflecting on the making of “Aaj Ki Raat,” Ganguly credited the song’s success to collaboration and a creative decision that transformed its visual identity. Though the interview cuts off before detailing the specific creative choices, it is clear that teamwork and innovation were key to the choreography’s acclaim.
