The 71st National Film Awards dropped like a cinematic bombshell, and fans everywhere couldn’t keep calm. Shah Rukh Khan, the undisputed King of Bollywood, snagged the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for his fiery performance in Jawan. He wasn’t alone on the throne though, Vikrant Massey shared the honour for his soul-stirring act in 12th Fail. A rare tie, but a well-deserved one.
On the other side of the gender spectrum, Rani Mukerji claimed the Best Actress title for Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway, a film that had audiences sobbing into their popcorn.
Fans, critics, and even industry insiders celebrated the wins until a voice from the small screen stole the limelight.
Rupali Ganguly Throws the Spotlight on TV Stars
While Bollywood was busy popping champagne, Rupali Ganguly, star of the hit show Anupamaa, had a spicy question to toss Why is television always left out of the National Awards conversation?
In a chat with paparazzi king Viral Bhayani, she didn’t hold back. “During COVID, when films could delay shoots, we were still grinding 6 am to 6 pm,” she said. “If a movie star works overtime, it becomes national news. But we do it daily and nobody bats an eye.”
She reffered TV actors weren’t just acting they were practically risking their lives in bio-bubbles to keep India entertained. And yet, they’re absent from the red carpet of national recognition.
Television, The Unsung Hero of Indian Households
Enter Shivam Khajuria, another TV actor who didn’t mince words either. “There are only actors. The medium shouldn’t define the merit,” he said. According to him, television is no less of an art form than cinema, it’s just less glitzy.
He pointed out something most awards juries seem to forget, TV reaches everyone. From metros to mofussils, television shapes culture, sparks dinner table debates, and dominates WhatsApp forwards. He mentioned, “If the aim of a National Award is to truly recognize contributions to the arts and culture of our nation, then the television industry can’t be excluded from that narrative.”
Both Rupali and Shivam were united in one sentiment that Producer Rajan Shahi deserves his moment in the sun. The man behind Anupamaa and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. His shows don’t just trend; they define prime time.
So the next time the National Awards list is drawn up, maybe include a category or two for the stars who’ve been lighting up our living rooms for decades. Because if India loves something more than a blockbuster, it’s a good old television drama.
