NEW DELHI: Late actor Sridevi was honoured with the National Award for her performance in the film Mom at the 65th National Film Awards ceremony in Vigyan Bhavan in the capital city. Boney Kapoor along with daughters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor went to Delhi to receive the award on her behalf.
The event was an emotional one for the entire Kapoor family. When Sridevi’s name was being announced, Boney Kapoor broke down as he was sitting with his daughters. He along with Janhvi and Khushi then went on the stage to receive Sridevi’s award given by President Ram Nath Kovind and Information and Broadcasting and Textiles Minister Smriti Irani.
Jahnvi wore her mother’s sari for the occasion, revealed designer and close family friend Manish Malhotra.
Sridevi’s husband and renowned producer, Boney Kapoor said that the late actor gave her best to all the films she did in her career and it is unfortunate that she is getting her first National Film Award after her death.
When an anchor asked Boney to share his sentiments on Sridevi’s second National Film Award, he corrected her and said, “First let me correct you. This is her first National Film Award. It is a very proud moment for all us. At the same time, a sad moment. We wish she was here with us. She truly deserves it and she has been around for almost 50 years and done almost 300 films.”
He went on to add, “She has always given her best to all her films. Unfortunately, it is after she has left, that she has been awarded with this honour.”
In the movie, directed by Ravi Udyawar, Sridevi, whose sudden death in February this year shocked everyone, played a mother who sets out to avenge her step-daughter, essayed by Pakistani actor Sajal Aly. Adnan Siddique played Sridevi’s husband in the family drama.
Bollywood’s first female superstar’s co-star and Boney’s brother, Anil Kapoor shared an emotional picture of the family, calling it heart-warming and a proud moment.
Such a proud & heartwarming moment for all of us to watch these beautiful people accept an honor for the most incredible person there ever was! #Sridevi #NationalFilmAwards @BoneyKapoor #JhanviKapoor #KhushiKapoor pic.twitter.com/AoLeLisdde
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) May 3, 2018
Boney expressed his gratitude towards the Indian government, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the jury, which was led by Sridevi’s Mr India director Shekhar Kapur.
“It is a very proud moment for all of us but sadly she is not around for this proud moment,” he added.
Asked what advice he would like to give to all the young fans who want to be like Sridevi, Boney got his daughters forward, and said, “Like my daughters, there are many more young ladies who aspire to be like my late wife Sridevi. I would only ask them to be as dedicated as focused as sincere, as hardworking as her.”
Boney also said Sridevi will be alive forever through her work.
“The world is watching all what she did, all what she achieved… Thanks to television and the digital era, she will continue entertaining people forever… As long as entertainment industry exists, as long as media exists, she will continue to entertain everybody.”