‘Surreal Feeling’: Nikhil Mahajan On Being Named Best Director

MUMBAI, (IANS) – Filmmaker Nikhil Mahajan, who on August 24 bagged the National Film Award for Best Direction for the Marathi film ‘Godavari’, has called it a “surreal feeling”, and said that this win is “closest to his heart”.

The director said: “This award is for my mom and dad who have tirelessly ensured that I get to live my dream. It is also for Jitendra Joshi who believed in me and stood by my side. It is for my entire cast and crew of ‘Godavari’ who rallied like champions against all odds and made it happen.”

“It is for Nashik which holds in its heart the mighty Godavari. It was for my producers Jio Studios who ensured that my voice and vision travelled everywhere. It is for Vikram Gokhle who had said I’ll win this on the first day of shoot. And lastly it is for Nishikant Kamat, the director who I made ‘Godavari’ for. To win a national award for directing this film is truly completing a circle,” he added.

Mahajan had earlier also won the IFFI Special Jury Prize (2021) for Direction, thereby making ‘Godavari’ the first Marathi film to secure two awards at a leading international film festival.