Anupam Kher is disappointed on not winning National Award for The Kashmir Files: 'Not a complaint but...'

The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri won the Best Feature Film award on National Integration at the 69th National Awards on Thursday. Actor and executive producer Anupam Kher had the twin emotions of excitement and delight after the awards. The actor applauded the win for Kashmir Files, but also felt sad for not winning an award for his performance. 

“We had high hopes about it winning the National award because when you do your best work, you expect things to be happening. But whatever happened following the release, we never expected to win in this category. (Director) Vivek Agnihotri is not in the country at the moment but I can speak on his behalf and say that we never expected to win in this category after all that happened. This national award has answered every person who doubted the intention of this film. The honour in this category has put a double smile on our faces”Anupam Kher expressed his gratitude to the jury headed by Ketan Mehta, in an interview with Hindustan Times. 

While the win for Kashmir Files has left the actor in absolute bliss, he feels that his acting in Kashmir Files was one of the finest and that it should've reaped a National Award. “I would have loved to win a National Award for my acting, too, because this is undoubtedly one of my finest performances. But like I mentioned (in my social media post), agar saari khwaishein poori hojaein to aage kaam karne ka maza kaise aayega (If all my wishes come true, I won't have any fun working ahead.)” he said. 

Kher being a good sport, expressed his admiration towards the other actors, "Sometimes when you don’t win an award, the only thing you have to show is grace. It is not about undermining the person who has won it. Whether it’s Allu Arjun (Best Actor for Pushpa) or Pankaj Tripathi (Best Supporting Actor for Mimi), all of them are very talented actors and deserve all the appreciation and recognition. But I am very objective when it comes to performance and The Kashmir Files was one of my best performances. There are three-four categories that they give awards for. So it would have been nice. But again I would say that it’s not a complaint but just an observation."

Apart from this, the actor has also revealed that he was an executive producer for Kashmir Files. He remarked, "I had requested Vivek to give me the title of executive producer and he was gracious enough to do that. I wanted that because I am also a Kashmiri Pandit. But we never talked about it,"

Kher concluded by dedicating the award to the people of Kashmir who suffered for so many years, "And to people who lost their lives, people who left their homes and all those for whom the film was made. This award is for all of them.”

Meanwhile, Anupam Kher will be next seen in the movie Emergency helmed by Kangana Ranaut. The actress will also be seen playing the role of Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the self-directional which is scheduled to release in theatres on November 24. 

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