My joy multiplied with Rekha's win: Vishal Bhardwaj

May 20, 2011 IANS

Mumbai, May 19 (IANS) Vishal Bhardwaj bagged his fourth national award Thursday, but more than being happy for himself, the filmmaker-singer-composer was elated over his wife's first win.

Both were honoured for the film "Ishqiya", which was directed by debutant Abhishek Chaubey and produced by Bhardwaj, who also composed music for the rural drama.

While Bhardwaj won the best music direction award, Rekha was named the best female playback singer for the song "Badi dheere" that has been penned by Gulzar. The 58th National Film Awards were announced in the capital Thursday.

"This is Rekha's first national award and of course it was a moment of joy for both of us because the happiness multiplied. To get national award with your spouse in the same year is a great feeling," the 50-year-old told IANS in an interview.

"I also had a word with Gulzar saab and he is feeling like a proud father whose two children have got the national award," he added.

Bharadwaj had earlier won the prestigious award for "Godmother", "Blue Umbrella" and "Omkara" in different categories.

"Definitely the feeling that you get when you receive an award for the first time is totally different, but whenever you get an award, it's a great feeling and it instills more confidence in you. Especially a national award," he said

"It is the most prestigious award. All the other popular awards are either run by some film magazine or corporate houses, but this is an award by the country. So country is felicitating and honouring you, which is great," he added.

"Ishqiya" songs "Ibn-e-batuta", "Dil toh bachcha hai ji" and "Ab mujhe koi" were not only liked by the masses, but also music experts.

Was he expecting the award?

"Usually when the songs become popular, they don't get national award. My previous film for which I got a national award for music direction was 'Godmother', and the songs were not popular.

"My most popular music, be it in 'Omkara', 'Maachis' or 'Kaminey', didn't get a national award. So I was not expecting and that is the beauty of national award, when you don't expect it, you get it," he added.

The couple has major celebration plans with their close friends and family Thursday night.

"We are meeting our friends today (Thursday) and we will get drunk, dance, celebrate and the celebrations will go on for sometime," said Vishal.

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Ishqiya