Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker was among the jury members at the 71st National Film Awards, which recognised outstanding contributions by filmmakers, actors, and technicians for the year 2023.
Following the announcement of the winners, the Lagaan director spoke to the media, but the interaction took an amusing turn when he was mistaken for fellow filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
As per Hindustan Times, during a press interaction, one of the reporters mentioned how much they enjoyed watching Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, prompting Ashutosh Gowariker to promptly clarify, “That’s Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film.” When the journalist apologised, Ashutosh Gowariker smiled and graciously responded, “That’s okay.”
Another media person commented on his relative absence from the spotlight, suggesting that he had “gone silent” after Lagaan.
In response, the filmmaker offered a cheeky comeback: “So, I think you stopped going to the theatre after Lagaan.” His light-hearted response drew laughter and highlighted his affable demeanour.
Ashutosh Gowariker, who made his directorial debut with Pehla Nasha in 1993, rose to national prominence with the Oscar-nominated Lagaan in 2001, starring Aamir Khan. He followed it up with acclaimed films such as Swades (2004) featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Jodhaa Akbar (2008), starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai.
His last film, Panipat (2019), starring Arjun Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt, failed to perform at the box office.
Also Read: Sonu Sood celebrates birthday by announcing old age home for 500 seniors citizens
Addressing the controversy surrounding The Kerala Story, which was awarded Best Director (Sudipto Sen) and another honour, Gowariker acknowledged the discussions that took place during the jury process.
“There were deliberations,” he said, adding, “but the awards were only announced after a unanimous decision was made.”
The 71st National Film Awards proved to be a major win for Bollywood. 12th Fail was awarded Best Feature Film, while Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey, and Rani Mukerji took home acting honours. The Telugu superhero film HanuMan won in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) category.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
