Neena Gupta wins National Award for 'Uunchai,' dedicates it to...herself!
In a proud moment, acclaimed actor Neena Gupta won the National Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the film Uunchai on Friday. This is her first National Award in the acting category in nearly 30 years. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Gupta expressed her joy and surprise at receiving the award, and dedicated it to herself for her hard work.
Gupta's initial reaction to the news
Gupta revealed that she was pleasantly surprised when she first heard about her win. "I got the news just half an hour back, and I was happily surprised to know about it," she said. She then asked her manager to confirm the news, after which she felt both happy and emotional. Gupta believes that this award is a testament to her dedication and perseverance in the film industry. "This honor reflects that my hard work was noticed," she said.
Gupta dedicates award to herself
When asked who she would like to dedicate the award to, Gupta promptly said that she would like to dedicate it to herself. "Because I have done all the hard work...This is the result of my hard work." "It reflects my journey and how far I have come..,Kabhi na kabhi toh result aata hai (At some point, the result does come), and this award is a testimony to it," she concluded.
Gupta's previous National Awards
Gupta has previously won two National Film Awards for her documentaries. She received the National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director for Bazar Sitaram (1993) and the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Woh Chokri (1994). "Now, I got the award again after almost 30 years, which is a very big deal for me," she said.
'Uunchai' synopsis and other National Award wins
Uunchai, directed by Sooraj Barjatya, also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Sarika, Danny Denzongpa, Boman Irani, and Parineeti Chopra. The film follows a group of friends who embark on a journey to climb Mt Everest to fulfill a friend's last wish. It highlights their struggles and realizations along the way. Barjatya also won a National Film Award for Best Direction for this film.
