'FILM-MAKING IS A SOUL-SAPPING PROFESSION'

'Or because I am getting a S**tload of money.'

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He was floating on air, literally, when the National Awards were announced. As soon as his flight from Nagpur landed in Mumbai, his mobile phone stirred to life. Preoccupied with getting off, he didn’t take any of the calls.

But his executive producer, Swapnil Bhangale, who was travelling with him, tracking the awards, saw the news on YouTube and informed Nikhil Mahajan at the airport that he had bagged the Swarna Kamal: The Best Direction for Godavari.

Humbled by the love that has been coming his way since,”My parents are over the moon. Detached from the film industry, they don’t understand the pressures of show business, and seeing the ups and down in my career, they were understandably worried. I’m happy I was able to give them this big moment.”

Having won the Filmfare Award for Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor (Critics), were you expecting the national honour for Godavari?

No, the Filmfare Awards were for Marathi films only while the National Awards are across all cinemas and languages making them the biggest awards in the country.

I’m full of gratitude.

My parents are over the moon; they have been flooded with calls since they were announced.

Detached from the film industry, they don’t understand the pressures of show business, and seeing the ups and down in my career, they were understandably worried.

So this award is a validation in a way.

I’m happy I was able to give them this big moment.

Did Godavari grow out of personal experience?