Actress Manasi Parekh won the Best Actress National Award for her performance in the Gujarati film Kutch Express. She shared her Best Actress award with Nithya Menen, who won for her performance in Thiruchitrambalam. She was honored by President Droupadi Murmu at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan on October 8. The actress later shared pictures with her award on her Instagram handle. Her post also features pictures with Karan Johar and other notable personalities. Now, in an exclusive interview with OTTPlay, Manasi shared her feelings about winning the prestigious National Award for the first time. 

Manasi Parekh on winning National Award for Kutch Express

During the conversation with us, Manasi Parekh was asked to share her feelings of receiving the National Award for the first time. A happy Manasi shared, "Amazing. I think when you feel it, your mind starts functioning and your body starts functioning which is why I immediately broke down into tears as I was too overwhelmed for words as I got it finally. The first thought I had was 'Oh my god, it's here.'"

She further added, "Finally it is here after all the hard work and all the struggles and everything. Kutch Express is such a special film, such an incredible film and my character was so incredible and God's blessing. And the fact that I got a National Award for it was the icing on the cake really."

On being asked whether she was nervous while receiving the award, Parekh said that she was nervous and had not eaten too much. She was hoping her saree would look good but added that when she finally entered, she was actually excited and happy.

"Suddenly I realized I am sitting on the front row with Karan Johar, Sooraj Barjatya, Ayan Mukerji and I was like 'omg,'" Manasi added. 

Manasi Parekh on filming Kutch Express

When asked if she ever thought she would get the National Award while shooting the film, Manasi said that she never thought but added, "We had a conversation. I remember Ratna Pathak Shah ma'am after the end of the shooting of the film came to me and said, 'Manasi I think we have done something very very special and I am very happy to be a part of the film."

She also said that her father was the first person who told her that she deserved a National Award after watching her performance. 

While talking about the film more, the actress said, "It was a limited Gujarati film. But still, we wanted to make a big film. We wanted to make a good Indian film and did not want people to think, "Accha Gujarati film toh budget kaam hoga." So when you see it, it looks like a Hindi film and the language is Gujarati."

Manasi Parekh on her dream collaborations

At the last, we asked her to name one director and an actor she would love to collaborate with in the future. To this, Manasi shared, Mani Ratnam and Ranbir Kapoor.

About Kutch Express

Directed by Viral Shah, Kutch Express follows a simple homemaker. She believes she has a perfect married life but her myth is shattered when her husband has a secret affair with a woman. So, she decides to win him back. In the film, the characters face numerous challenges, both external and internal, yet they continue to persevere. 

Meanwhile, you can watch Kutch Express on ShemarooMe (OTTPlay Premium) in Gujarati and Hindi. 

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