Karan Johar on his National Film Award win: 'So emotional to win the same year as Rani and SRK'

The acclaimed director-producer, celebrated for classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and My Name is Khan, was presented the honour by President Droupadi Murmu.

Filmmaker Karan Johar was overwhelmed with gratitude as he received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for his 2023 hit Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani on Tuesday, September 23.

The acclaimed director-producer, celebrated for classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and My Name is Khan, was presented the honour by President Droupadi Murmu.

Apoorva Mehta, his partner at Dharma Productions, was also conferred with the award. Karan took to Instagram the same evening and shared several pictures from the award ceremony, including one with Rani Mukerji who received the Best Actress honour at the 71st National Film Award ceremony.

He wrote in the caption, "So humbled and honoured to win the most POPULAR FILM PROVIDING WHOLESOME ENTERTAINMENT at the NATIONAL AWARDS @mib_india #71stnationalfilmawards .. Apoorva @apoorva1972 and I are deeply grateful to our entire family @dharmamovies for being our soul and spine….So emotional to win in the same year as Rani and Bhai @iamsrk ( missed taking a photo with him )…”

Karan also gave a shoutout to Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, the lead actors of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani . "Karan Johar this side and I am a fragile today… thanks to the love and recognition,” he concluded the post.

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This is Karan's third national award in a row and his fourth one overall. The moment marks a full circle for Johar who was nominated in the same category for his directorial debut, "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai".

Several friends of the filmmaker from the industry shared congratulatory messages and best wishes in the comment section, including Shabana Azmi, Zoya Akhtar, Alia Bhatt, Manish Malhotra, Bhavana Panday, Tahira Kashyap, Shweta Bachchan, Neha Dhupia, among others.

"This is my third national award in a row. In 2021, we got it for 'Shershaah' and in 2022, we got best VFX for Brahmastra and most wholesome and popular entertainer of the year (award) this year. There’s a lot of energy, excitement and inspiration in my heart right now and a lot of gratitude,” he told Doordarshan at the National Awards red carpet.

Also read: 71st National Film Awards Live: Karan Johar receives National Award for ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani’, marking his third win

He further added, "Whenever we get a national award, I feel like I have done something right to win over hearts, the audience, the jury and to reach this stage. A lot of respect and gratitude to the jury."

In 2021, Karan Johar was honoured with the Special Jury Award for Shershaah. The following year, in 2022, he received the Special Award for Best VFX for Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva. This year, he added yet another feather to his cap by winning the award for Most Wholesome and Popular Entertainer of the Year for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, which was produced under his banner, Dharma Productions.

(With inputs from PTI)