‘I Gave This Film Everything’: Randeep Hooda On Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’s National Award Win

Randeep Hooda has won the Best Debut Director honour at the 72nd National Film Awards for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Reacting to the recognition, the actor-filmmaker said the moment still feels unreal, especially after the long and difficult journey of bringing the biographical drama to the screen.

Hooda, who also played the lead role, co-wrote the film and directed it, described the project as the most demanding undertaking of his career. He credited the team for staying with the film through repeated challenges and dedicated the award to everyone who helped complete it.

‘This Film Asked More Of Me Than Anything Else’

Speaking to ANI after the announcement, Hooda said, “Being announced as the winner of the National Award for Best Debut Director

for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is a moment I’m still trying to process.”

The film marked his first outing as a director, but his involvement extended far beyond calling the shots. He portrayed Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, contributed to the writing and remained closely involved in shaping the project through its production.

Reflecting on that experience, he said, “This film asked more of me than anything I’ve ever done. The journey of this film was filled with challenges at every juncture, but I’m glad we saw it through and overcame each of those.”

Hooda did not detail every setback faced during production, but acknowledged that the road to completion was far from straightforward. He said the team repeatedly found a way to continue, even when circumstances threatened to derail the project.

Randeep Hooda On The Responsibility Of Telling Savarkar’s Story

For Hooda, the film carried a responsibility that went beyond making his directorial debut. He said he wanted to approach Savarkar’s life with sincerity and remain committed to the story despite the difficulties surrounding the production.

“And despite that, somehow we kept finding the strength to move forward. As an actor, co-writer and first-time director, I gave this film everything I had because I felt an immense responsibility towards telling Veer Savarkar’s story with sincerity and honesty,” he said.

The actor-filmmaker also put the hardships faced by the unit into perspective. According to him, the obstacles encountered during filming could not be compared with the sacrifices and experiences that shaped Savarkar’s life.

“Whatever we endured while making this film is insignificant compared to the life he lived and the sacrifices he made,” Hooda added.

Award Dedicated To The Entire Team

Hooda thanked the cast and crew for continuing to believe in the project through its highs and lows. He made it clear that he did not view the National Award as an individual achievement, despite receiving it in the Best Debut Director category.

“I’m deeply grateful to my entire team for believing in this dream and standing by it through every high and low. This recognition belongs to all of us,” he said.

He also expressed hope that the award would encourage more viewers, particularly younger audiences, to engage with Savarkar’s life and legacy.

“I hope it inspires more people, especially the younger generation, to discover and reflect on Veer Savarkar’s legacy,” Hooda concluded.

Other Major National Film Award Winners

The 72nd National Film Awards also recognised several prominent names across Indian cinema. Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Mammootty, Dhanush and Blessy were among the major winners announced across different categories.

Meanwhile, Article 370 received the Best Feature Film honour, making it one of the biggest winners of the latest edition.