Adil Hussain : I would have been disappointed if I did not get my National Award from the President

The actor feels it is not just sad but also discriminatory that only 11 out of 137 winners were chosen to be honoured by the President, while the others had to take their awards from ministers.

He was the recipient of a Special Mention for two of his films (Mukti Bhawan or Hotel Salvation and Maj Rati Keteki) at the National Awards last year, and actor Adil Hussain says he feels lucky to have received the honour from the President of the country, unlike this year’s ceremony, which only saw 11 winners getting the recognition from the head of state.

Actor Adil Hussain says every artiste expects to receive the National Award from the President. (Photo: Amal KS/HT)

Over 50 recipients did not attend the National Awards ceremony on May 3 after learning that out of 137 awards, President Ram Nath Kovind would only give away the honour to 11 artistes.

Adil says it is very disappointing that a protocol that has been there for so many years was broken this year.

“I was one of the lucky ones to have received the National Award last year. I think any actor or artiste would like to receive the award from the head of the state. Why should I receive the award as big as the National Award from somebody other than the President? There is a protocol. I would have been disappointed as well if I was not getting it from the President. I wouldn’t mind getting it from the Prime Minister but not anyone else,” Adil shares.

“There is a protocol. I would have been disappointed as well if I was not getting it from the President. I wouldn’t have mind getting it from the Prime Minister but anyone else I wouldn’t have liked.”

Ask him if the situation could have been handled better, the actor replies, “Of course. They were notified so late about the sudden change in the ceremony.”

The remaining awards were presented by the then Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani, and Minister of State, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

The actor getting his National Award from the ex-President of India, Pranab Mukherjee and minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Adil further adds that it was very unfortunate that artistes were discriminated at this year’s ceremony.

“To say that some artistes are worthy of getting the award from the President and the others are not, is sad and also discriminatory,” he concludes.