Shah Rukh Khan's first National Award for ‘Jawan’: Anupam Kher believes he deserved it a '100%' for 'Swades' as well

Shah Rukh Khan’s big win at the National Awards felt personal to a lot of his fans. As a matter of fact, a lot of his near and dear ones from the industry were also overjoyed as the actor received his first-ever National Award after 40 years. SRK has been a face of so many Bollywood blockbuster films, and the fact that he didn’t restrict himself to just romance and tapped into other genres like social issues, action, thriller, and more, makes him one of the most deserving candidates for the honour. Shah Rukh’s co-star in many films and veteran actor Anupam Kher echoes the very sentiment and is truly glad about his victory.

Anupam Kher says this year's National Awards were a star-studded blockbuster

Alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Messy won the award for Best Actor. Also, Rani Mukherji and Karan Johar were honored at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on Wednesday.


With President Droupadi Murmu presenting the award and Bollywood’s brightest stars sitting together, it was a sight to behold. “It is a very good thing because it is different from that narrative that you should do a special kind of film (to get a national award). I was very happy to see Karan Johar, Rani Mukerji and Shah Rukh Khan sitting together. It was a star-studded blockbuster National Award this year," Anupam Kher told PTI.

Anupam Kher expresses his joy over Shah Rukh Khan’s National Award victory

“I am very happy for him, and personally happy that he finally got it after 40 years. You can imagine his disappointment — for ‘Swades’, he 100 per cent should have got the National Award,” quoted Anupam Kher.

He continued, “So many other performances, like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, went unrecognised. Each time, he must have felt upset. So I am really glad he has finally received it."

Anupam Kher extended his wishes to Mohanlal

While speaking to the aforementioned publication, Kher revealed he also called Malayalam superstar Mohanlal to extend his wishes on being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. “‘Mohanlal, you are the youngest recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke award,’ said Kher on the call, to which the South star replied, ‘Yes’. And it is amazing."