Recently, Shah Rukh Khan won his first National Award for his performance in Jawan. While Shah Rukh Khan’s big win was widely celebrated as long overdue, some felt that Manoj Bajpayee was more deserving for ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’.
Now, in an interview, Manoj Bajpayee broke his silence on losing the National Film Award to his former colleague Shah Rukh Khan. Scroll down this blog of the National Film Awards 2025 and know the complete facts.
Likes to Read: National Film Awards 2025 Date, Time, Venue & Winners List
Manoj Bajpayee Compares National Film Awards To ‘A Piece of Decoration’ After SRK’s Win
During the press conference with India Today, while promoting his latest Netflix film, Inspector Zende, Manoj Bajpayee was asked about losing the National Film Award to Shah Rukh Khan and how a section of folks thought he was more deserving for his performance in Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai.
In response, Manoj Bajpayee replied, “That’s a pointless discussion – it’s over and done with. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai holds a very special place in my filmography, just like Joram.
Both will always stand out as significant works. But I don’t dwell on such matters, because looking back feels like a loser’s conversation. It is in the past, and it should be left alone.”
After this, he asked about how many people think that the National Awards are losing their credibility by turning more towards commercial cinema.
Manoj replied, “It’s not just about national awards. This is all about the rewards that were once held in high regard. They really need to reflect on how they’re functioning. Because it is not about my respect, I take care of my respect very cautiously when I am choosing a film, and I remain responsible to the actor I am.
But it’s up to every organisation to think for itself to protect its dignity; that’s not my job. If they’re losing respect, they should think about it.”
Talking about the relevance of an award win in his life, Bajpayee replied, “If I get an award, believe me, I will make sure that I have a good time with the people involved with the film. And that’s it.
Also read: 71st National Film Awards 2025 Winners List
At the end of the day, it is just a piece of decoration in your house. After that, I can’t stand in front of my award every single day and keep saying, ‘Wow, I Won This’.”
After that, he also asked about why he attends such events if he doesn’t believe in them. He replied, “If you are calling me to a place to honour me, I will be a fool not to go there. Yeah, of course, I go there because that person wants to give me respect. That’s it, nothing less or more. I am not going to reject your respect or your honour.”
However, Manoj Bajpayee has won the National Award four times – Best Supporting Actor for Satya, Special Jury Award (Feature Film) for Pinjar, Best Actor for Bhonsle, and a Special Mention for Gulmohar.
National Film Awards 2025 Ceremony Date, Time & Venue
The National Film Awards 2025 ceremony is scheduled to take place on 23 September 2025, from 4 PM onwards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Shah Rukh Khan & Vikrant Massey, among others, are expected to attend the award ceremony where he will be given the honour by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
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