Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 6: Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has spoken out in support of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, amid an ongoing controversy surrounding the actor’s recent National Award win for his performance in the action-thriller Jawan.

Speaking to IANS during an event in Mumbai, Ali described the win as a “moment of pride” and extended congratulations to Khan and all other award recipients. “If the country has honoured him, it’s obviously a big thing. I would like to congratulate Shah Rukh Khan and all the people who got this big award. Thank you,” he said.

Shah Rukh Khan received his first-ever National Award for Best Actor on August 1, a landmark moment in his 33-year film career. However, the announcement sparked mixed reactions online and within the film industry.

The controversy gained traction after South Indian actress Urvashi subtly questioned the jury’s decision. While accepting her own award for Best Supporting Actress for Ullozhukku, she hinted at a lack of fairness in the selection process. Though she did not mention Khan directly, Urvashi reportedly implied that Jawan may not have been the most deserving entry for the Best Actor category, especially when performances like that of Malayalam veteran Vijayaraghavan were overlooked.

This remark ignited debate on social media, with some netizens echoing Urvashi’s sentiments. Many questioned why Khan, known for acclaimed roles in Swades, Devdas, Veer Zaara, and Chak De! India, had to wait over three decades to win such a prestigious national recognition. Others speculated on whether his win was a case of delayed acknowledgment or politically influenced timing.

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna also came to Khan’s defence. Drawing a comparison to Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman, Khanna said, “People who are saying that Shah Rukh Khan should not have received the award for this film (Jawan) but for Swades — remember A.R. Rahman received the Oscar for ‘Jai Ho’ and not for the various beautiful songs he created in the past. Shah Rukh has been working hard for the past 40 years now — so what is wrong if he has received a National Award?”

As the debate continues, voices from the film fraternity like Imtiaz Ali and Mukesh Khanna are calling for recognition of Shah Rukh Khan’s enduring contribution to Indian cinema — regardless of whether Jawan was his most award-worthy performance or not.