Shah Rukh Khan wins National Award for Jawan, fans say 'this one's for Swades'

Time of India

16 hours ago

When Shah Rukh Khan was asked in 2016 why he hadn't won a National Film Award yet, he answered, 'If I did not get it, I don't deserve it. I don't think there is any performance of mine till date that could or should have got a National Award.
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' Fans disagreed.
Almost a decade later, SRK has finally won his first National Award for Best Actor for his role in Jawan , a tie with Vikrant Massey ( 12th Fail ). And fans didn't let the moment slip by, rolling out a list of performances they felt should've won him the award decades ago, including Chak De! India , My Name is Khan , Devdas , and of course, Swades .
Swades
Swades is often highlighted as SRK's best performance till date by fans and critics alike.
On Swades ' 20th anniversary last year, director Ashutosh Gowariker had said, 'At that time, when Swades was released, I was thinking it would get a better box office reception, but it did not. Obviously, people's expectations about what I was doing after Lagaan , or what Shah Rukh was doing as an actor in this kind of a character- it shocked a lot of people. So, it did not connect so much then, box- office-wise. But over the years, the admiration for the film grew.
I look back at the film with dissatisfaction - in terms of what it should have done at the box office. But there is a certain satisfaction that at least the film has reached everyone. I look back at the film with these two mixed emotions.'
So, with this year's National Award for SRK, which incidentally was announced by Gowariker, chairperson of the National Awards jury, fans didn't miss the poetic full circle. Soon, a hashtag was born #JusticeAfterTwoDecades.
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Writer Somen Mishra summed it up on X with this hashtag and wrote,"SRK just got it for Swades. Finally, Gowariker only had to give it."
I
n the official citation, jury chair, Gowariker described SRK's performance -"A powerhouse performance, balancing raw intensity and emotional depth, and bringing to life a hero who fights not just the enemy, but societal boundaries -creating two unforgettable cinema personas."
'National Award tells me to keep going, keep working hard, keep creating, and keep serving cinema'
'National Award tells me to keep going, keep working hard, keep creating, and keep serving cinema'
Namaskar & Adaab, needless to say, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, pride, and humility. To be honoured with the National Award is a moment that I will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you so much to the jury, the chairman, and to the I&B Ministry, and to everyone who thought I was worthy of this honour.
I want to thank all my directors and writers, especially for the year 2023.
So, thank you, Raju sir, thank you, Sid, and especially, thanks to Atlee sir and his team for giving me the opportunity in Jawan and trusting me to deliver. Atlee sir, this is like you say 'mass'! I want to thank my team and management, which works tirelessly. They bear with me my eccentricities and my impatience and give me their full attention, making me look much better than I am.
This award would not be possible at all without their love and perseverance.
My wife and kids, who over the last few years have given me so much more love and care as if I am the kid in the house, and want only the best for me. They know my obsession with cinema takes me away from them, but they all bear it with a smile and allow me the time.
The National Award is not just about achievement. It's a reminder that what I do matters. It tells me to keep going, keep working hard, keep creating, and keep serving cinema.
In a world full of noise, to be truly heard is a blessing. And I promise to use this recognition not as a finish line, but as fuel to continue striving, learning, and giving back. Yeh award ek reminder hai ki acting sirf ek kaam nahi, ek zimmedari hai screen par sach dikhane ki zimmedari.
Thank you for all the cheers and all the tears, and thank you for pausing your scrolling while watching me talk. This award is for you, as each award is.
Yes, I would love to spread my arms and share my love, but I am a bit indisposed. But don't worry! Just keep the popcorn ready. I will be back in theatres, and soon on the screen.
As a fanboy, working with you and making a film and presenting it in a mass mode of SRK, sir, is a pure, pure blessing from God: Atlee
Jawan director Atlee said in a post,"I'm super happy that you've got the national award for our movie Jawan. It feels very emotional and inspiring to be part of your journey. Thank you for trusting me and giving this film, sir. It's just my first love letter to you; a lot more to come, sir. Thank you, @gaurikhan ma'am, and @RedChilliesEnt for giving this film to us... This is one of my life's most important moments; Shah Rukh sir being near you itself is a great blessing, sir.
As a fanboy, working with you and making a film and presenting it in a mass mode of SRK, sir, is a pure, pure blessing from God (sic) Thank you for trusting me."