‘I Am Over The Moon’

‘What
a
beautiful
journey
this
film
has
had!’

Manoj
Bajpayee
received
a
Special
Mention
at
the
National
Awards
for
his
performance
in

Gulmohar.

Minutes
after
the
announcement
Manoj
tells

Subhash
K
Jha,
“I
am
over
the
moon.
I
just
feel
so
blessed
to
have
received
my
fourth
National
Award,
and
that
too
for
a
very
special
film.
Wow!”

Manoj
Bajpayee
had
multiple
releases
in
2023.
Each
one,
be
it

Gulmohar,
Sirf
Ek
Bandaa
Kafi
Hai
or

Joram,
fetched
him
immense
laudation.

“I’ve
never
stopped
thirsting
for
challenging
roles
which
is
why
you
are
taken
aback
each
time.
I
am
not
trying
to
impress
audiences
by
doing
a
variety
of
roles.

“I
am
just
doing
the
work
that
excite
me.
Being
part
of
a
film
(Gulmohar)
with
Sharmila
Tagoreji
was
quite
an
achievement
for
me.
Sitting
next
to
her
during
the
film’s
promotions
was
quite
a
privilege.”

Gulmohar
has
also
won
the
National
Award
for
best
Hindi
film.
Director
Rahul
V
Chittella
has
worked
extensively
with
Mira
Nair.
It
shows
in
his
debut
film.

Gulmohar
is
like
Mira’s

Monsoon
Wedding
without
a
wedding.
There
is
a
peculiar
sterility
and
joylessness
about
the
characters,
scattered
and
rudderless
even
as
they
speak
repeatedly
about
keeping
the
family
together.

It
was
a
double
celebration
for
movie
legend
Sharmila
Tagore.
Not
only
was
August
16
her
son
Saif’s
birthday
she
was
informed
that

Gulmohar
had
won
the
National
Award
for
best
Hindi
film.

Snatching
time
away
from
the
celebrations,
Sharmila
Tagore
tells
Subhash,
“I
am
over
the
moon.
Very
happy.
Well
done,
team

Gulmohar
led
by
Rahul
Chittella,
first
time
director.
What
a
beautiful
journey
this
film
has
had!”

“I
am
absolutely
honoured
by
this
prestigious
win
for
our
beloved
film,

Gulmohar!”
Chittella
exclaims.
“I’m
delighted
especially
with
Manoj
Bajpayee
also
winning
the
best
actor
(special
mention).”

“He’s
a
rare
treasure
and
it’s
been
a
privilege
creating
this
film
with
him
and
Sharmilaji!
Lastly,
my
special
thanks
to
my
creative
and
writing
partner,
Arpita
Mukherjee
for
being
with
me
through
this.”

Feature
Presentation:
Rajesh
Alva/Rediff.com