At 30, She Played A 67-Year-Old Actor's Mom. They Said Her Career Was 'Over' But...
In a recent interview with Filmfare, Vidya reflected on that turning point. "When Balki sir narrated the script and told me he wanted me and Abhishek (Bachchan) to play Amitabh Bachchan's parents, I thought he'd lost his mind," she laughed. But once she heard the full script, something inside her said that this was the role she was waiting for. (News18 Hindi)
Despite her conviction, the external pressure was immense. Friends and industry insiders advised her against it, warning that playing an older woman so early in her career would permanently typecast her. But she found clarity after sharing the script with a few trusted friends, including a writer and an ad filmmaker. Their response was unanimous; she had to do it. (News18 Hindi)
Directed by R Balki, 'Paa' starred Amitabh Bachchan as 12-year-old Auro, a boy battling progeria. In a complete role reversal from real life, his real-life son Abhishek played his father, and Vidya played the mother. The casting alone was enough to turn heads. But it was the emotional depth and realism of the performances that cemented 'Paa' as one of the most talked-about films of the year. (News18 Hindi)
The film not only received critical acclaim but also major accolades. Amitabh Bachchan won the National Award for Best Actor, and Vidya Balan's nuanced performance was widely lauded as one of her most memorable. (News18 Hindi)
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Sanya Malhotra & Ekta Kapoor react to Netflix's Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery National Award win: 'This recognition encourages me to continue choosing...'
Sanya Malhotra's satirical comedy Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, celebrated for its fresh storytelling, social relevance and quirky humour, saw her portray a determined police officer investigating the theft of two prized jackfruits read more Star performer Sanya Malhotra has added another feather to her cap as her acclaimed film Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery won the Best Hindi Film at the National Film Awards this year. Known for her versatile performances and knack for choosing unique scripts, Sanya has once again found herself at the centre of projects celebrated for both content and craft. Sanya Malhotra's satirical comedy Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, celebrated for its fresh storytelling, social relevance and quirky humour, saw her portray a determined police officer investigating the theft of two prized jackfruits. Expressing her gratitude after the big win, Sanya expressed: 'I'm deeply honored that Kathal has been awarded the National Award for Best Hindi Film. This story has been very special to me, and I'm grateful to Guneet Monga and Achin Jain, and the entire team for trusting me with such a unique role. The film reflects important social realities with satire and heart, and I'm so glad it resonated with audiences. This recognition encourages me to continue choosing meaningful cinema. A heartfelt thank you to the jury and everyone who supported Kathal.'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Adding to the celebrations, Sam Bahadur that Sanya Malhotra starred alongside Vicky Kaushal, walked away with multiple honours, including Best Makeup, Best Costume Design, and Best Feature Film for Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values. The biopic on India's legendary Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was lauded for its authenticity and inspiring narrative of patriotism and leadership. The winning streak didn't end there, Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan, a film that Sanya Malhotra was an integral part of, also earned top honour, further highlighting her association with impactful and commercially successful cinema. Celebrating the win, Ekta Kapoor, the film's producer, shared the news on Instagram story and wrote, 'Thankuuuuuuuu ♥️♥️♥️♥️ JAI MATA DI @monika_shergill @netflix_ in @guneetmonga @achinjain20 @sanyamalhotra_' Ekta also expressed her gratitude after the win, saying, 'I'm thankful to the jury for this great honour. It is incredibly reaffirming to be recognised for the work we do and the stories we choose to tell. I am grateful to have found collaborators in Guneet Monga, Achin Jain, Balaji and Netflix. I share this award with my wonderful cast and crew who shaped the film in myriad ways.' Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain and said, 'Every time a story from the heart of India is honoured, it's a win for every voice that deserves to be heard. We are incredibly honoured to receive the Best Hindi Film award for Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery at the 71st National Film Awards. Grateful beyond words for this recognition. A heartfelt congratulations to our brilliant director Yashowardhan Mishra, and his co-writer Ashok Mishra, for crafting a story that is sharp, original, and deeply human. Huge thanks to our producing partners Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor at Balaji Telefilms, and the entire team Sikhya Entertainment. Immense gratitude for our trusted platform partner Netflix India and the incredible Monika Shergill, Ruchika Kapoor Sheikh. Shout out to Pratiksha Rao and Ankita Singh who started this journey. Kathal wouldn't have been possible without the unconditional support of this incredible team, this journey wouldn't have been possible without your belief and support. And to Sanya Malhotra, your performance as Mahima was both powerful and full of heart. You brought Mahima to life with such nuance, warmth, and unwavering strength, dil jeet liya! Thank you for leading this story with such grace, authenticity, and quiet power.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Set and shot entirely in the culturally rich state of Madhya Pradesh, Kathal is a satirical tale rooted in the everyday, a reminder that truth often hides in the most unexpected places. This win is for every storyteller who dares to look closer and tell stories that matter. For Sanya Malhotra, being part of such critically and commercially celebrated projects is a testament to her growing stature as an actress who brings credibility and depth to every role. With Kathal showcasing her flair for comedy and strong character-driven performances, and films like Sam Bahadur and Jawan proving her versatility in ensemble narratives, Sanya has cemented her place among Bollywood's most discerning and bankable stars.
Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Finally, a National Award for Shah Rukh Khan. But it is both a celebration and a compromise
A Best Actor National Award for Shah Rukh Khan has set tongues wagging. Since the announcement last evening, WhatsApp groups have been abuzz, and Insta DMs and Reddit sub-threads have been on fire. Whichever group — Boomers, Millennials, Gen Z (I won't be surprised if his famed charm spreads to Alphas at some point as well) you belong to, everyone has an opinion on SRK and the fact that he has received this award 33 years after he came into the movies, and 30 years after he delivered one of the biggest blockbusters in Hindi cinema, which redefined how mainstream romances were made. This October will be the 30th anniversary of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), in which SRK bore Kajol away with the blessings of her uber-strict dad Amrish Puri. Since then, the superstar, who has indubitably been one all through these decades regardless of his hits and pits, has amassed a clutch of honours, including the once-much-coveted Filmfare black ladies, and honorary doctorates around the world. But a National Award, the highest film award handed out by the Indian government, has been elusive. Until now. Atlee's Jawan, which came to theatres two years back (2023), and its lead — SRK in a double role as both the grizzled war veteran and the Robin Hood-esque younger vigilante — are at one with their agenda. Setting wrongs right in a system creaking under corruption, raising the flag for those who need it most — farmers struggling under debt, soldiers on the border dying by the use of faulty guns, empty oxygen cylinders in hospitals — with the help of an army of determined young women. More than the fact that it's taken him this long to get to the National Award podium, I'm surprised at the choice of film. SRK, coming off the back of five fallow years in which both his professional and person lives got a beating — his previous films had crashed, and his son was implicated in a false case and imprisoned — had roared back with Pathaan, a zingy spy saga, in which he went loud and proud, reclaiming his identity, which had been (and still is, from a section of poisonous trolls) under attack. Pathaan would have been an easy choice. It's comic-book enough for us not to take any of the fun and games seriously. On the other hand, Jawan is massy and messy, yes, but it is also unapologetically political, with SRK holding up his hand, fanning his fingers, and saying press that button and make the right choice of neta, while slipping in a line about the beta. There's also a batty sequence which involves the stealing of electronic voting machines. They may have been wrapped up in Atlee's loud, full-tilt filmmaking, but they all demand notice, exactly the things the present dispensation is very sensitive about. Clearly, someone or more than one member of the jury either had a sense of humour or was not as aware about the visceral impact of that film which came in the year SRK bounced back to doing what he does best: Entertain his viewers and please his fanbase stretching across the world. Or it could well be that whoever was batting for him felt it was high time: If you want a comparison, Aamir Khan has not just one but four National Awards, two for films he did as a newcomer in 1988, for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, as well as Raakh. It is another matter altogether that Rani Mukerji, who has also got her first National award for Best Actress after almost 30 years for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, has been nearly forgotten in all the der aaye-durust aaye chatter. What the SRK award feels most like is a reflection of both the state and the actor having found a pragmatic middle ground, the former perhaps using this as a gesture of conciliation, and the latter accepting with grace. And humour. In an Instagram post, you can see him with an arm in a cast (he is reportedly recovering after a procedure) thanking the 'jury and the I&B ministry, Atlee sir, my team and my wife and kids, and Bharat sarkar and my fans' for the 'honour', and stretching out his uninjured arm in his trademark move, promising he will be back soon, on screen, serving cinema with truth. Nitpickers, and there are plenty, are claiming that the 'honour' has been diluted because the award has been split between him and Vikrant Massey, for Massey's terrific turn as an underprivileged student who cracks the civil services in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 12th Fail. There may be some truth in it, and it may be a case of damning with faint praise, but the jury could just as easily and comprehensively have ignored SRK all over again. So here we are, and there he is: SRK, naam toh suna hoga?
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Allu Arjun Congratulates Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey, Rani Mukerji On National Awards Win: ‘A Truly Proud Moment'
Last Updated: Allu Arjun congratulates Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey & Rani Mukerji after 71st National Film Awards, calls it a proud moment for Indian cinema. The 71st National Film Awards for 2023 were officially announced on August 1, honouring the most outstanding talents in Indian cinema. Among the biggest highlights this year, Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey were jointly awarded the Best Actor award for their impactful performances in Jawan and 12th Fail, respectively. In the Best Actress category, Rani Mukerji received the top honour for her deeply moving role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Amid the celebration, Pushpa star Allu Arjun took to social media to extend warm wishes to the winners. Known for his humility and love for cinema beyond borders, Allu Arjun praised each of the winners with heartfelt tributes. For Vikrant Massey and 12th Fail, he wrote, 'Congratulations to @VikrantMassey garu! #12thFail is one of my top favourite films, and your win is truly well-deserved my brother. So glad to see this movie win the National Award too. Congratulations to the entire team especially #Vinod garu." Congratulations to @VikrantMassey garu! #12thFail is one of my top favourite films, and your win is truly well-deserved my brother . So glad to see this movie win the National Award too . Congratulations to the entire team especially #Vinod garu Warm wishes to #RaniMukerji garu… — Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) August 2, 2025 He also extended warm wishes to Rani Mukerji, writing, 'Warm wishes to #RaniMukerji garu as well, on receiving the National Award for Best Actress." Turning his attention to Shah Rukh Khan, Allu Arjun celebrated the superstar's long and illustrious journey, 'Heartiest congratulations to @iamsrk garu on winning the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor for #Jawan. A well-deserved honour after 33 glorious years in cinema. Another achievement to your endless list sir 🖤 Also, heartfelt congratulations to my director @Atlee_dir garu for making this magic happen 🖤." Heartiest congratulations to @iamsrk garu on winning the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor for #Jawan. A well-deserved honour after 33 glorious years in cinema. An another achievement to your endless list sir 🖤 Also, heartfelt congratulations to my director…— Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) August 2, 2025 He concluded his message by acknowledging the larger artistic community, 'Congratulations to all the artists and technicians who were honoured at the #71stNationalAwards. A truly proud moment for Indian cinema!" The announcement of the National Awards took place at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, following weeks of evaluation. The final jury report was submitted to Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State L. Murugan earlier in the day, with the winners revealed during a press conference at 6 PM. Allu Arjun's gracious message not only amplified the moment but also underscored the solidarity and admiration shared across the Indian film fraternity. First Published: August 02, 2025, 15:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
