Actress Sonam Kapoor, who has been named for the National Film Award — Special Mention for “Neerja”, says the honour is an encouragement for her to do more content-driven movies. “It feels amazing. I honestly did not expect it. I think I have been doing content-driven films for a couple of years right now, but obviously it (National Award) is an encouragement to doing more of them.”

The 31-year-old actress, who will receive the award in the capital on Wednesday, said it is very important for her. “It is such a a huge validation for doing a film like ‘Neerja’, but at the same time it was more important to make a film like ‘Neerja’ which spoke about human spirit and compassion. A film like ‘Neerja’ winning an award says that human spirit and human compassion and kindness at the end of the day should be our purpose,” she said.

Sonam will be accompanied with her father and actor Anil Kapoor and mother Sunita for the event. “My parents are coming with me. I think they are very excited. I am more happy for them and for Ram (director Ram Madhvani) because I think Ram really wanted me to win the award and I think my parents are very proud,” she added.

“Neerja” is a biographical thriller film, whose plot centers on the hijacking of a Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan, on September 1986. It tells the heroic tale of Neerja Bhanot, an air hostess, who lost her life while saving others.

IANS

Actor Akshay Kumar, who has been criticised for bagging the prestigious National Film Award earlier this month, says after working for 25 years in Bollywood if people still think that he doesn’t deserve the honour, they can take it away.

Akshay was named the Best Actor for his performance in the crime thriller “Rustom”, loosely based on the commander K.M. Nanavati case.

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Asked about criticism he faced after receiving the award, the actor told media here on Monday: “I have been working in the film industry for the last 25 years and I have noticed that every time whoever wins a National Award, the debate starts on who is deserving to win the award. I got it after 25 years. If you think I don’t deserve it, you can take it away.”

The actor was present here at the event by Movie Stunt Artistes Association for the insurance of all the stunt artistes who work in Hindi films.

Known for his action films like “Khiladi” and “Mohra”, he is now being associated with movies that have a patriotic theme. Apart from “Rustom”, he also wore patriotism on his sleeves in films like “Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty”, “Baby” and “Airlift”.

IANS