Never expected National Award in wildest dreams: Neeraj Ghaywan

New Delhi: Director Neeraj Ghaywan, who received the National Film Award for his first directorial "Masaan" here on Tuesday, said he did not expect the award in his wildest dreams.

Ghaywan was here at Vigyan Bhawan to receive the award instituted by the government of India.

Asked how does he feel on receiving such a coveted award, Ghaywan told IANS: "It definitely feels very good because it is recognised by the government of India and the honourable president is giving the award. It feels genuinely good to be recognised at national level."

The director also shared that he never thought he would win awards for his debut film.

"For the first film winning two awards at Cannes and now this, I really had not expected this in my wildest dreams. So it feels surreal," he added.

Asked how important were awards for the director in general, Ghaywan said: "The awards are a recognition for my entire team and the film. Personally, I have immense amount of gratitude for these awards, but I really don't take them seriously...As I want to be very grounded."

Ghaywan has been named for the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director award for "Masaan", which found critical acclaim nationally and internationally.

The movie follows the stories of four people from a small town "Varanasi" and how they fit into the moralities, and how pre-set notions of society change their lives.

Produced by Drishyam Films, Phantom Films, Macassar Productions and Sikhya Entertainment, "Masaan" also touches upon issues like caste stereotypes and premarital sex.

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Masaan