Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji, who recently won her first National Award, said the honour has significantly increased her sense of responsibility as an artiste. Speaking at a recent event, the actress reflected on the importance of public acceptance and addressed the criticism that often follows the announcement of such prestigious honours. She remarked that questioning the credibility of the National Awards diminishes their value.
“It feels wonderful to win the love of audiences across the country. When a National Award is announced and viewers also believe we truly deserve it, that happiness is beyond words. But if people react by saying, ‘Did she really deserve an award? There are many better performers,’ then even after receiving it, the award loses its worth,” Rani said. She added that this year, when she received the honour, it was widely accepted by audiences and peers alike, and that recognition felt more meaningful than the award itself.
Rani Mukerji won the National Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 2023 film Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. She stressed that even the smallest awards hold great significance for actors, as their primary goal is to entertain audiences. At the same event, Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with the Best Actor award for Jawan, while Vikrant Massey received the Best Actor award for 12th Fail.
