Hansal Mehta took to Twitter to express disappointment over ‘Aligarh’ snub at the National Film Awards...
Acclaimed film director Hansal Mehta was upset over the apparent overlooking of his 2016 film Aligarh at the 64th National Film Awards, announced on April 7. The director took to his Twitter account to share his views with his over 38 thousand followers, to express his disappointment on his acclaimed film being passed over for the premier awards ceremony of the country.
“Am getting calls asking me if Aligarh was entered for the National Awards and if I was disappointed with the results. Yes, Aligarh was entered and while we are disappointed like many other colleagues I would like to congratulate winners.”
The 2016 film, chronicling the life of Marathi professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras and his suspension over being caught in a homosexual tryst, won major acclaim and accolades for its team, especially the work of Mehta and the performance of Manoj Bajpayee, who played the professor. The movie attracted high praise for its deft tackling of homosexuality and homophobia in Indian society, something which Mehta mentioned in one of his following tweets.
“My only hope is that the debate over Section 377 and LGBT rights is not ignored. If Aligarh has shone a light on these issues and if India’s ignored LGBTQ population are able to move forward with dignity, rights and unconditional integration into the mainstream we will consider our task in making Aligarh accomplished,” Hansal added.
Hansal Mehta, in his latest tweet has expressed that his disappointment with Aligarh being ignored at the National Film Awards was personal and "not directed at anybody". He wrote:
Mehta has been known to make his views on issues known in the past, both through his work and on social media, putting up posts about sexual harassment a day before the incident. Mehta previously won the National Film Award for Direction for his 2013 movie Shahid.
Bajpayee, who won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for his role, decided to stay mum on the issue.
The 64th National Film Awards were announced on Friday. Akshay Kumar took home the award for Rustom, Sonam Kapoor received Special Mention for Neerja, Zaira Wasim won Best Supporting Actress for Dangal, and Priyanka Chopra-produced Marathi film Ventilator won Best Director and Best Editing.
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 "Bollywood, National Film Awards 2017, Hansal Mehta, Aligarh, Twitter, Akshay Kumar,Dangal,Manoj Bajpayee,Neerja,Priyanka Chopra,")
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