Kangana Ranaut and Deepika Padukone photographed in Mumbai.
Highlights
- Kangana won the National Award for Tanu Weds Manu Returns.
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed Deepika in Bajirao Mastani.
- Bajirao Mastani released last year.
Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali said that Kangana Ranaut, who won the National Award for Best Actress for
Tanu Weds Manu Returns, is an 'outstanding actress,' but he wanted Deepika Padukone to win the award for
Bajirao Mastani.
"Kangana is an outstanding actress but deep in my heart, I wish Deepika or Priyanka had won. Deepika's performance was splendid and Priyanka was fantastic too," said Mr Bhansali.
"However, as the jury thought that Kangana was a better choice. I agree she has done a fabulous job in
Tanu Weds Manu Returns. I am very happy for Kangana but as a director and producer, I wanted Priyanka or Deepika to win," said Mr Bhansali, who won the Best Director Award for
Bajirao Mastani.
When Mr Bhansali was asked about working with Kangana, Mr he said: "I can't talk about the future. It depends on planning." The 53-year-old director said that filmmaking was a liberty and not a responsibility for him.
"I don't make films for awards or box office collections. My first preference is always audience. The audience's love is sufficient for me," he said.
This is Kangana's third National Award. She has previously won for the award for
Queen and
Fashion.