National Awards 2024: Veteran actor Neena Gupta is elated after winning the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Uunchai. This prestigious recognition comes 30 years after her last National Award. The 70th National Film Awards were announced on Friday, and Neena admits that the news hasn't fully sunk in yet.
Neena Gupta's reaction on winning National Awards
She shared her initial reaction in a conversation with Hindustan Times. "Well, I got the news just half an hour back, and I was happily surprised to know about it. Then I took a pause and asked my manager to double-check it, just to be sure (laughs). After that, I was really happy and emotional with the news. I am so excited about it. It was really nice to read my name among all the other winners," she was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Reflecting on the award, she feels it's a testament to her dedication and perseverance in the film industry. "This honour reflects that my hard work was noticed. Mereko aisa lagta hai ke aap kaam kare jaao, and kabhi na kabhi phal milta hai, aaj nahi toh kal (I strongly feel that one should focus on working hard, and it will surely get noticed some day). And it has happened with me with the award," she told Hindustan Times.
Neena on getting the National Award after 30 years
Neena also highlighted the significance of receiving the award after such a long gap. "Last I got two National Film Awards back in the 1990s for my documentaries. Now, I got the award again after almost 30 years, which is a very big deal for me."
In the 1990s, Neena won the National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director for Bazar Sitaram (1993) and the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Woh Chokri (1994).
Neena dedicates the National Award to herself
When asked if she would like to dedicate the award to someone, Neena replied, "I would like to dedicate it to myself. Because I have done all the hard work… This is the result of my hard work. It reflects my journey and how far I have come. Kabhi na kabhi toh result aata hai, and this award is a testimony to it.”
Uunchai also earned Sooraj Barjatya a National Film Award for Best Direction. The film, also starring Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Parineeti Chopra, Anupam Khaer follows a group of friends as they embark on a challenging mission to climb Mt. Everest to fulfill the last wish of one of their friends.