National award winners on a high

Swanand Kirkire, lyricist, on winning the National Award for 3 Idiots, Best Lyrics

I was not expecting this at all. I am in fact in Sholapur for a function. I was taking a nap when the announcements were being made and since then the phone has not stopped ringing. I have now answered some 200 calls already. I am already celebrating. I am feeling great. Now, I am reday to take on bigger responsibilities...

Kirkire won the award for his lyrics for the song, ‘Behti hawa sa tha who…’

Amit Trivedi, best music for Dev D

IBNlive’s sms broke the news to me. I was working in my studio and had no idea. I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I am. I stopped work and quickly called my parents to inform them. This is a great feeling and I guess it will still take some time to sink in.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Producer, 3 Idiots, which got the award for ‘The Most Popular Film’

“Its an overwhelming feeling. I have just returned from US, where I was working for pre production of my next and I landed here two days back and I get welcomed with such an overwhelming news. Its really a proud moment for our production house.

Raj Kumar Hirani, director, 3 Idiots

“It is an extremely humbly when the audience has loved and cherished this film so much and now we are also getting recognized by getting a national award.”

Sanjeev Lamba of Reliance Big Pictures. Big Pictures who produced Kutty Srank, Well Done Abba, Abohomaan, Paa

“We are extremely delighted that four films produced and one film released have won an unprecedented 14 national awards this year. This is an honour and I would like to congratulate the extraordinary talent that has worked with us to make this honour possible.”

Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, director, Delhi 6, which won the award for the best intergration film and best art direction

“I am very happy that Delhi 6 has got the recognition at the national awards. The reason we made this film was that the land suffers from integration, lack of understanding between religions and we have got recognized for the same is a very overwhelming feeling.”

R Balki, director of Paa says, "This should have been Amitji's 25th National award. Truly proud of Amitji and Arundati. I think Vidya and Abhishek were equally good. I am glad that people loved the film."

R Madhavan, one of the lead actors in 3 Idiots says, "I am ecstatic. Rajkumar Hirani is King."