Sanya Malhotra Celebrates National Award For Kathal: 'I'm Deeply Honoured'
Sanya Malhotra celebrated her Netflix satire Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery winning the National Film Award for Best Hindi Film. The National Award winners were announced on August 1.
Sanya Malhotra is over the moon as her Netflix satire Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery clinched the National Film Award for Best Hindi Film (Feature). Reacting to the honour, Sanya expressed heartfelt gratitude to the team behind the film and shared how special the project has been for her.
'I'm deeply honoured that Kathal has been awarded the National Award for Best Hindi Film," Sanya said in a statement, adding, '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."
Directed by Yashowardhan Mishra, Kathal is a satirical social commentary cleverly disguised as a quirky mystery. The film blends humour with a sharp take on bureaucracy, gender dynamics, and media spectacle — all wrapped around the case of two missing jackfruits. Sanya's performance as a determined young cop investigating the bizarre case earned praise for its sincerity and nuance.
'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," she added, thanking the jury and all those who supported the film.
Actor Anantvijay Joshi, who was a part of Kathal, spoke to News18 Showsha after Kathal won big at National Awards. 'I just received a call from somebody to congratulate me and that is how I got to know. It seems quite right for a film like Kathal, which is so cleverly written and made with so much love and good intent. It is a great satire. I think it feels very, very gratifying," the actor shared.
Anantvijay also recalled the time he was working on the movie and shared that he never expected that the film will win the National Award one day. 'We were only enjoying what was written and how it was written while we were shooting for it. I don't think we ever had a conversation about awards because all of us on sets considered that Kathal was not particularly very award-driven. But we were very sure that people would really appreciate this film," he stated.
Apart from Kathal, 2023 was a significant year for Sanya, who also appeared in Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan and Meghna Gulzar's Sam Bahadur, both of which went on to win National Awards.
First Published:
August 02, 2025, 09:42 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
14 minutes ago
- News18
Man Converts Refrigerator Into Classic Shoe Rack. Now, Aparshakti Khurana Wants One
Curated By : Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 08:00 IST Aparshakti Khurana and Jheel Mehta reacted to the video. (Photo Source: Instagram) It's common for people to toss their shoes haphazardly around the house. This habit leads to a messier and less hygienic living space. To solve this issue, a creative Instagram user stunned the internet with his out-of-the-box idea. Any guesses? The said person upcycled an old fridge from a trash station into a vibrant, handmade shoe cabinet exclusively for his Crocs. Yes, you read that right. In a video shared on Instagram, the creator revealed that he often used to throw his Crocs around the house. Spotting an abandoned fridge at a trash station, he decided to give it a new lease of life and give his shoes a proper home. Step-by-Step Process The transformation process to make his new cabinet began with a thorough wash of the fridge. Enjoying the monsoon rains, the man cleaned the fridge nicely. Next, he swapped out the original fridge shelves for custom wooden sliders. He then treated the dents and rusty flakes coming off with iron-based putty, which he recommended picking up from any local hardware store. After allowing the surface to dry overnight, he lightly sanded it smooth, applied a white primer, and then sanded once more for an even base. The painting process brought the cabinet to life. Using chalk paints, he painted a colourful Madhubani art design, a traditional Indian folk art style. The piece was finished with matte varnish or lacquer, peel-and-stick tiles, hooks, decals, and wooden legs, making it look nothing like a former kitchen appliance. Social media reactions The cabinet's bold look and creative reuse didn't go unnoticed. Bollywood actor Aparshakti Khurana commented, 'Tooo good! Whatta Collab." While Jheel Mehta from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah praised the innovation, writing, 'Amazing creativity!" Social media users across the platform also echoed the sentiment. As of now, the upcycled masterpiece has racked up more than 20.3 million views and over 1.5 million likes. 'Dude, this is so good," read a comment. Another added, 'Wow, that's incredible!!!!" 'Sometimes the aesthetic is more valuable than the cost. No doubt a cheaper shoe rack was easier to buy, but the handmade art and efforts put into this rack are more valuable than anything out in the market, not to forget how beautiful that rack is," said a user. An account posted, 'Broooo!!! This is something extraordinary." 'Damn!!! How can someone be so creative?" an individual remarked. Not His First DIY This isn't the first time the creator has impressed with his DIY creativity. In an earlier post, he transformed a vintage '90s telephone into a charming pastel bedside lamp. Swipe Left For Next Video View all He just used two warm white bulbs, a sturdy pipe, and some soft colours to make the beautiful side lamp, proving that one can create beautiful things with a little creativity. Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments News viral Man Converts Refrigerator Into Classic Shoe Rack. Now, Aparshakti Khurana Wants One 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. Read More
News18
14 minutes ago
- News18
Aadujeevitham National Award Snub: Ashutosh Gowariker Says THIS About Prithviraj Sukumaran's Performance
Curated By : Shreyanka Mazumdar Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 07:56 IST Why did Prithviraj's Aadujeevitham lose out while The Kerala Story won Best Direction? Prithviraj Sukumaran's much-anticipated survival drama Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) entered the 71st National Film Awards with high hopes and strong fan backing. But when the winners were announced, the film didn't pick up a single trophy — not even in categories where it was a clear favourite. Behind the scenes, it turns out there was division within the jury — and at the centre of it all was a film that many believe didn't deserve to win in the first place. According to jury member and filmmaker Pradeep Nair, there were heated discussions around some of the major award decisions. The most debated pick was The Kerala Story, which walked away with Best Direction and Best Cinematography — honours that many believed should have gone to Aadujeevitham. 'As a Malayali on the panel, I raised serious objections. I questioned how a film that defames a state like Kerala and serves as propaganda could be considered for a national honour. I even conveyed my concerns directly to the jury chairperson," Nair said. But he also admitted that he was outnumbered. 'I was the only one who labelled it as propaganda. Others argued that even if it was controversial, it tackled a relevant social issue." Why Aadujeevitham Didn't Win A National Award Fans expected The Goat Life to make a strong sweep across categories — especially for its intense performances, stunning cinematography, and soundtrack. But jury chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker reportedly wasn't impressed. 'He had seen the movie at a previous film festival in Goa and had serious concerns about the film's adaptation and execution. Gowariker and others also felt the adaptation lacked naturality and the performances didn't feel authentic," Nair explained. Even the film's acclaimed music didn't break through. Nominations for Best Lyrics and Best Male Playback Singer slipped away, reportedly due to a technical issue. The producers failed to submit a proper English translation of Rafeeq Ahammed's lyrics — a misstep that cost them critical points. KR Gokul, who had been gaining praise for his breakout role in the film, was also left off the final winner list. Though the jury appreciated his performance, Nair revealed it wasn't enough. 'The overall quality of the films was also a significant factor in final decisions," he added. While Aadujeevitham went home empty-handed, Ullozhukku took the spotlight as Best Malayalam Film. The jury agreed it was a complete package. Shreyanka Mazumdar Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More view comments News movies » regional-cinema » Aadujeevitham National Award Snub: Ashutosh Gowariker Says THIS About Prithviraj Sukumaran's Performance 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.
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'Watch the film first': The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen's curt message to Kerala CM over National Award criticism
At the 71st National Film Awards, the controversial Hindi film, The Kerala Story, surprised one and all with two major wins - for Best Director and Best Cinematography. The film, which dealt with the subject of radicalisation and religious conversion by terror organisations, had faced opposition by the Kerala government upon its release in 2023. After the win, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan once again criticised it, calling the honour 'an insult to the tradition of Indian cinema'. The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen reacts to CM Pinarayi Vijayan's attack on his film's National Award win. In an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times, The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen addressed the attack, and also shared a message for Chief Minister. What Kerala CM said about The Kerala Story's win Taking to Twitter (now X) on Friday, CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote, "By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala's image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #NationalFilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar. Kerala, a land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by this decision. It is not just Malayalis, but everyone who believes in democracy, must raise their voice in defence of truth and the constitutional values we hold dear." Sudipto Sen reacts Upon hearing the comment, Sudipto Sen told HT, "I think Pinayari Vijayan, sir, who is a very senior and seasoned politician, hasn't seen my film. Had he seen my film, he wouldn't have made this comment." The filmmaker also claimed that Vijayan once advocated what he is saying now, but has changed his tune over the years. "15 years ago, a prominent Kerala politician had a press conference in Delhi where he said that PFI and SGPI are so active in Kerala that they may turn it into an ISIS state soon. There was a backlash to it in Kerala. And who was the first person to defend this comment? Pinayari Vijayan, who was the Secretary of the Communist Party of India then, not the Kerala CM. What he is saying today and what he said back then are completely different," he added. 'Their job is to do politics' Saying he did not want to be drawn into a political debate, Sudipto Sen said he continues to stand by his film, "I am not a politician, but they are seasoned politicians. I have nothing to say to a political comment, because their job is to do politics. I am a filmmaker. What I can tell you is that we have given 12 years of research to this film. I travelled across several blocks in Kerala, and met 500 girls there. When the Censor Board (CBFC) took two months to clear the film, I gave evidence for each line of dialogue in the film. I stand by every dialogue and visual of the film. Nobody can discredit me by just putting a comment on Instagram or Twitter." Before signing off, the newly minted National Award winner added, "My earnest request to Pinayari Vijayan, sir, is that he should see the film and see if I am wrong. If he can find one line or sentence in the film wrong, he should tell me." About The Kerala Story The Kerala Story starred Adah Sharma in the lead. The film was about a group of girls from Kerala who were radicalised by ISIS militants. Makers claimed that the film is inspired by true events, and that 32000 girls from Kerala have met this fate. This claim was challenged by the Kerala government in court, and the makers had to drop the number from the film. The Kerala Story released to a good reception from the audiences, minting over ₹300 crore at the box office.
