New Delhi: The 69th National Film Awards were announced on Thursday and the Best Actress Award was shared by Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon for their performances in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ and ‘Mimi’ respectively. Kriti Sanon spoke to ABP News and expressed her excitement about the big achievement.
Kriti told ABP News, “I am too too excited, almost emotional. I cannot believe actually this is happening. I am still sinking it in, pinching myself. It is a big moment for me and my entire family. Mimi has been a very very special film and to get the most prestigious award, the National award for it, I just cannot thank the jury enough for actually believing that my performance deserved this award. I have no words, I am a little speechless with everything going on and too too overwhelmed”
"I just wanna thank firstly Dinoo (Dinesh Vijan) who has always believed in me, in my potential, supported me throughout, given me a film as special as Mimi, which I know I am going to treasure all my life and definitely my director Laxman Utekar sir who I remember while shooting the film who used to tell me 'Mimi aap dekhna is performance ke liye na National Award milega' and I used to actually not believe it because I always thought it was too big a dream and too far away. I just didn't believe enough that I could actually get that and he did. And, he has actually held my hands throughout this film and I just want to tell Laxman Sir which I actually did. I just called him up and I told him that Sir you used to tell me that National Award milega, dekho mil gaya. So, it is a big moment and everyone in my family is just very excited, very emotional. So, yeah lot of gratitude in the heart of this film,” she said.
When asked how she would celebrate her win, Kriti said, “I am actually not sure how I am planning to celebrate it, my parents have been asking me the same question and I have just been on calls but I think just some of my close friends might come home and I don't know, I think I just want to be surrounded by people I love, and who I know love me a lot and just be in my pajamas at home and have a good time. I am just sinking this moment and actually really really treasure it.”
Kriti also took to Instagram and shared a statement on her achievement. She also congratulated Alia Bhatt and wrote that she is "too excited to share this huge moment" with her.
The comedy-drama ‘Mimi’ is directed by Laxman Utekar. The film is a remake of the 2011 Marathi film Mala Aai Vhhaychy!, it stars Kriti, who opts to be a surrogate mother for a foreign couple. Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar, Manoj Pahwa and Supriya Pathak.
Pankaj Tripathi has also won the Best Supporting Actor Award for the film.