Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, won 10 awards at the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards with Maharashtra Tourism on Thursday. Bhansali received the Best Director award, and Alia Bhatt was recognised for her performance as Best Actress.
Bhansali thanked Filmfare for the honour during his acceptance speech and stated, “Gangubai is a very special film and close to my heart. I get very emotional every time we talk about it. This award belongs to everyone who has worked in it. Then I come to my jaan, my jigar, mera jigar ka tukda, Alia Bhatt.”
He continued, “I am very blessed to witness her perform Gangubai right in front of me. Every moment was so special and so young from the heart. This young girl came to me when she was 9 years old and auditioned for my film Black. I didn’t cast her because she had other things to do in life. But at that moment, I knew that she is a heroine. Thank you for immortalising Gangubai, for making her soul feel so proud and giving her the voice for all the issues which she fought for. She has reached out to the world once again. And I take this award for my mother Leela. It’s her blessings that have always protected me and God for listening to my prayers.”
It was Alia’s turn to experience Gangubai’s glory as Bhansali sat back down. Rekha, a seasoned actress, gave Alia the Best Actress award while gushing over the recipient. Alia felt overwhelmed as she accepted the prize.
She then said, “I am blanking out because it took us 2 years to make this film. And the weird thing is, when Sanjay sir narrated this film, I was very scared. And the first question I asked him was, ‘Sir, will I be able to do this? I don’t think I’ll be able to do this.’ And sir said, ‘Yes, you will do this.'”
“Whatever I have done in Gangubai Kathiawadi, it was only thanks to Sanjay Leela Bhansali. At 9, I had this dream to work with Bhansali and one day I’ll be fit enough to be your leading lady. So thank you so much. I will always be forever indebted and our journey has just begun,” she added.