The 72nd National Film Awards have been announced for films released in 2024, and one of the major winners is the film Amaran. Based on the late Major Mukund Varadarajan, the film is directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and stars Sivakarthikeyan in the lead role, alongside Sai Pallavi. Besides a national award each for editor R Kalaivanan and background music composer GV Prakash, Amaran also earned Rajkumar Periasamy a win in the Best Director category.
In an exclusive interview, the director reflected on the achievements not just for Amaran but also for his upcoming film Om’s stars, Dhanush and Mammootty. The filmmaker expressed, “We have already received multiple accolades for the film. Each time it won an award, many told me that it would win a National Award as well. I did not expect it to win the award while making it. However, I do feel delighted about it, especially since it is a recognition for the best direction category on the whole, across industries and from among multiple nominees.”
The National Award is a feather in the cap for Amaran and the team behind it. The film became a blockbuster overnight, earning more than 300 crore from theatres worldwide. During his conversation, Rajkumar also said that it has inspired many to join the army. “Many have told me that and even sent me screenshots of their enrollment in the OTA and enlistments in the army.”
While Rajkumar Periasamy did not anticipate the National Award for Amaran, he admitted that he wanted the film to serve as an inspiration for army aspirants. “I wanted the film to be that impactful at the time of making, although I never expected that this would also become true.”
Given that Amaran is a biopic, the achievement makes it extra special for Rajkumar. He notes, “Right now, I am getting back-to-back calls, mostly from the media, congratulating me on the achievement. However, I am planning to speak to the family of Major Mukund. Indhu ma’am (Major Mukund’s wife Indhu Rebecca Varghese) is in Australia right now. His father and mother are at home in India, and they keep in touch with me constantly. Mukund sir’s mother told me that I would definitely win the National Award.”
While some tend to immerse in the pressure or the burden of being a National Award winner, Rajkumar Periasamy said that he does not feel this way after his win for Amaran. “Instead, I find it a great sign of encouragement from the jury, especially for the acknowledgement in the overall direction category. I am also glad to see that the country has recognised regional films. This recognition will only make me focus more and move forward with confidence.”
Source: Cinema Express
