Ashutosh Gowariker on winning a National award for Toolsidas Junior : I feel validated to encourage more filmmakers

Veteran filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker along with Sunita Gowariker and Bhusan Kumar produced a children's film titled Toolsidas that won National Film Awards this year under two categories. The Lagaan famed director feels that the win is a true validation and assures to bring more new voices into the business in the future.

The film won awards under Best Hindi Film and Special Mention in the Child Actor category for Varun Buddhadev.

The film is produced jointly under the Ashutosh Gowariker Production Private Limited (AGPPL) and T-Series banner, and the former felt overwhelmed after the win.

The filmmaker who won his first National award for Lagaan in 2001 said, "Toolsidas Junior has been my first production venture which offered a platform to a young new director, and this win feels like a validation to encourage more filmmakers to tell their stories."

He also expressed his gratitude to producer Bhushan Kumar and the entire team of the film for their hard work and for putting together the film.

Sunita Gowariker, who is also the producer of the film added, "It is an overwhelming feeling. We are overjoyed that our efforts have been celebrated with the most prestigious honour of the nation."

The film is directed by Mridul Mahendra, and stars the Late Rajiv Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Dalip Tahil and debutante child actor Varun Buddhadev.

The awards ceremony, which took place in Delhi on September 30, was attended by Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunita Gowariker, director Mridul and child actor Varun Buddhadev.

Talking about the big win, Mridul said, "The feeling is beyond surreal! Toolsidas Junior is not only my first film, but also a reflection of my own childhood as the story is a tribute to my father and his journey."

The film revolves around a snooker player, the director shared how emotional he feels about the film.

"I hope I've made my father proud by honouring his love for snooker and the values he bestowed me with," he said.

It is unfortunate that the veteran actor Rajiv Kapoor who played the on-screen father of the title character passed away post the shooting of the film.

Mridul also added, "I wish my on-screen father Rajiv Kapoor was here with us today to witness this. I'm eternally grateful to Sunita ma'am and Ashutosh sir for believing in me and my story."