The 71st National Film Awards held in Delhi on Tuesday turned into a landmark evening for Netflix India as its original film Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery was awarded Best Hindi Film. Directed by Yashowardhan Mishra and featuring Sanya Malhotra in the lead, the dramedy made history as the first Hindi Netflix Original to win a National Award.
Kathal cast and crew celebrate National Award honour at Delhi ceremony
Produced by Sikhya Entertainment and Balaji Telefilms, Kathal charmed critics and audiences alike with its satirical, small-town narrative and strong performances from an ensemble cast that includes Anant Joshi, Vijay Raaz, and Rajpal Yadav. At the ceremony, director Yashowardhan Mishra accepted the award and medal from the President of India, with producers Guneet Monga Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, and Netflix India’s Monika Shergill in attendance.
Monika Shergill, Vice President – Content, Netflix India, expressed her pride in the recognition, “Today, as we receive the National Award for Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery at the 71st National Film Awards, it is a moment of great pride. This honor is a tribute to Yashowardhan Mishra’s distinct voice as a storyteller along with the writing brilliance of his co-writer, Ashok Mishra, the creative partnership of Balaji Telefilms and Sikhya Entertainment, and a film that captures both the humor and humanity of India’s heartland. With Sanya Malhotra and an exceptional ensemble cast bringing the story alive, Kathal reaffirms our belief, as Netflix, in the power of rooted, original storytelling. For us, this recognition at the National Film Awards, the highest benchmark of excellence in Indian cinema, is a proud affirmation and celebrates storytelling that is both deeply local and universally resonant.”
Producers Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain of Sikhya Entertainment also reflected on the milestone, stating, “Standing at the 71st National Film Awards today as Kathal is honoured has been nothing short of surreal. To see a story rooted in the heartland of India, in Madhya Pradesh, find its place on this stage is a moment we will always treasure. At the heart of this film lies the remarkable writing of Yashowardhan and Ashok Mishra and the sensitive direction by Yashowardhan, who together crafted a tale that delivers a subtle yet powerful reflection on society, capturing the humour, ironies, and truths of everyday life in small-town India. It was an absolute joy to collaborate with our leading force, Sanya Malhotra, alongside the inimitable Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Brijendra Kala, and a stellar ensemble of actors and technicians who brought this story alive with such authenticity and heart. Our deepest gratitude to our supportive partners at Netflix India and Balaji Telefilms, and heartfelt thanks to our entire cast and crew who poured so much love into this film. This honour is a reminder of why we tell rooted, authentic stories, so that voices from every corner of India find their place in the spotlight.”
Adding to the celebratory mood, Ektaa R Kapoor, Joint Managing Director of Balaji Telefilms, said, “Attending the National Awards and celebrating Kathal’s win is a magical moment for our entire team at Balaji. This story was created to shine a light on authentic, quirky Indian narratives, and today’s recognition makes the journey unforgettable. Thank you to the jury and audience for embracing this story, and to Netflix who took this story from the heartlands of India to a global audience, it inspires us to keep supporting bold, original storytelling.”
Director and co-writer Yashowardhan Mishra, who received the award, summed up the emotions, “To be at the National Awards ceremony and hold this award for Kathal is both humbling and joyous. I share this honour with my co-writer Ashok Mishra, our stellar cast led by the extraordinary Sanya Malhotra, and our incredible partners at Sikhya Entertainment, Balaji Telefilms, and Netflix. This moment is a beautiful reminder that stories rooted in the everyday, told with heart and authenticity, have the power to resonate far and wide. I’m deeply grateful to the jury, our audiences, and everyone who believed in this film, this recognition makes the journey all the more meaningful.”
With Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery securing its place in cinematic history, the win signals a turning point for streaming platforms in India and reaffirms the appetite for bold, grounded storytelling that travels from the heartlands to the global stage.
More Pages: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery Box Office Collection , Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery Movie Review
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