Jyotika Reacts To 'Bold' Rajkummar Rao-Starrer Srikanth's National Award Win: 'It Battled Situations...' | Exclusive

At the 72nd National Film Awards, Rajkummar Rao-starrer Srikanth was named the Best Hindi Feature Film. Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, the biopic on Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired industrialist, also stars Jyotika, Alaya F and Sharad Kelkar. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18 Showsha, Jyotika shared her excitement about her Bollywood comeback film winning one of the top honours.

For her, it’s a bigger win as Srikanth had to battle budget constraints, among other challenges, to reach the place it has today. “When a film battles every situation, from budget until release date, and still emerges a winner only because of its pure intention, craft and storytelling, it goes on to become an emotion for the team,” she tells us.

“Tushar, Nidhi Hiranandani

and T-Series (producers) have made this film straight from their hearts only to tell the world the most beautiful story of a visually impaired man who challenged society and its norms to become not only an MIT student but also a successful industrialist and much more in life,” adds Jyotika, who was recently seen in Shaitaan.

She calls Rajkummar’s performance in the film ‘brilliant’ and lauds Tushar’s ‘vision and passion’ as he helmed a bold story like Srikanth. “I cannot be thankful enough and feel proud to be playing the part of Devika teacher, the woman who was the wind beneath Srikanth’s wings,” Jyotika remarks. But there’s a special reason why this win feels even more validating for her.

“This role is also close to my heart as it was the first Hindi film I signed after a gap of 25 years in Bollywood. This is not just a National Award but an emotion for the team. This will be carved in our hearts forever,” she says.

Meanwhile, Article 370 has won the Best Film award. It has also fetched Yami Gautam Dhar her first Best Actress honour.

Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan received his first National Award, sharing the Best Actor trophy with Malayalam superstar Mammootty. Kartik was recognised for Chandu Champion, while Mammootty won for Bramayugam. Rajkumar Periasamy was honoured with the Best Director award for Amaran. Kalki 2898 AD won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

As for Srikanth, producer Bhushan Kumar expressed his gratitude and said, “We are deeply honoured that it has been recognised with India’s highest cinematic honour. This award belongs to the entire team who believed in the vision of bringing Srikanth Bolla’s incredible journey to audiences with honesty and heart. We are grateful to the National Film Awards jury for this recognition (sic).”

Tushar added, “Making Srikanth has been one of the most fulfilling journeys of my career. This award is a tribute to Srikanth Bolla’s inspiring life and to every member of the cast and crew who poured their hearts into telling this story.”