Hansal Mehta ‘disappointed’ over Aligarh snub at National Awards

Director Hansal Mehta is disappointed over the snub of his film Aligarh at the National Awards.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta says it’s disappointing that his critically acclaimed film Aligarh was not considered worthy of an honour at the 64th National Film Awards. However, he hopes the debate around LGBTQ rights is not ignored.

Aligarh starred Hansal Mehta and Manoj Bajpayee.

Set in a town in Uttar Pradesh from which the film takes its name, Aligarh is the story of a professor played by actor Manoj Bajpayee, fired for his sexuality, and a young journalist essayed by Rajkummar Rao, who tells his story to the world.

After the 64th National Film Awards were announced on Friday in New Delhi, Mehta expressed his sentiments via a Twitter post.

Hansal Mehta says that the jury has a difficult job every year and there are bound to be disappointments for many. (Yogen Shah)

He wrote: “I am getting calls asking me if Aligarh was entered for the National Awards and if I was disappointed with the results. Yes, Aligarh was entered and while we are disappointed like many other colleagues, I would like to congratulate all the winners.”

The filmmaker says that the jury has a difficult job every year and there are bound to be disappointments for many.

“Some fine films have been rewarded and some excellent work has been recognised. To all my colleagues who poured their hearts out into Aligarh, let’s just keep making our films with love and care - awards or no awards. There is no point brooding over the results.

“There is merit in only moving on and continuing to work, to make movies that we believe in.”

He says it’s more important that the fight for LGBTQ rights continues.

“If Aligarh has shined a light on these issues and if India’s ignored LGBTQ’s population are able to move forward with dignity rights, and unconditional integration into the mainstream, we will consider our task in making ‘Aligarh’ accomplished,” he said.

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