The 71st National Film Awards were officially announced at the National Media Centre in New Delhi on Friday, August 1, celebrating the finest achievements in Indian cinema over the past year. In a heartening moment, Rani Mukerji was awarded Best Actress for her powerful performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
Following the announcement of the winners, Rani expressed heartfelt gratitude for receiving the prestigious honour.
She said, "I’m overwhelmed to have won the National Award for my performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Incidentally, this is the first ever National Award in my 30 year career. As an actor, I have been fortunate to have some incredible films in my body of work and have got so much love for them. I thank the National Award jury for honouring my work in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway."
She then thanked the team members of the film. "I share this moment with the entire team of the film, my producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha and Madhu, my director Ashima Chibber, and everyone who worked on this truly special project that celebrated the resilience of motherhood. For me, this award is also a validation of my 30 year body of work, my dedication to my craft with which I feel a deeply spiritual connection and my passion for cinema and this beautiful film industry of ours."
Rani Mukerji dedicated her award to mothers across the world, highlighting the universal emotion of motherhood that lies at the heart of the film.
"I dedicate my National Award to all the incredible mothers of this world. There is nothing like a mother’s love and her ferocity to protect her own. The story of this Indian immigrant mother who went all out for her child and took on a nation shook me deeply.. a mother's love for her child is unconditional.. I realised this when I had my own. So, this win, this film feels deeply emotional and personal. A mother can move mountains for her children and also make the world a better place. This film tried to show this," she added.
While concluding, Rani also thanked her fans and people for their constant support and love throughout the years. She mentioned, "It also feels the apt time to again thank all my fans, from across the world, who have relentlessly supported me through thick and thin for these 30 years! Your unconditional love and support is everything that I have ever needed to stay motivated, to show up at work every day and to deliver performances that have entertained you. You’ve embraced every role, every character, every story I’ve had the good fortune to bring to life. So, without you I would be a nobody today."
Speaking of the film, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway is based on Debika Chatterjee, an Indian woman living in Norway with her family, fights to regain custody of her children after Norwegian authorities take them away from her. It was released on March 17, 2023.
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