New Delhi, Sep 24: Gujarati cinema celebrated a proud moment at the 71st National Film Awards as the psychological thriller Vash bagged two major honors. The film, starring Janki Bodiwala, was named Best Gujarati Film, while Bodiwala herself received the award for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful performance.
At the ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu presented the award for Best Gujarati Film to director Krishnadev Yagnik (Big Box Series Production) and producer Kalpesh Soni (KS Entertainment). Janki Bodiwala was felicitated with the Best Supporting Actress award.
The occasion was attended by producers Krunal Soni, Nilay Chotai, and Dipen Patel, along with Yagnik and Kalpesh Soni. The team expressed pride and gratitude, calling the recognition “a result of hard work and audience love,” and said it would inspire them to pursue stronger stories.
Director Yagnik noted that presenting a psychological horror genre in Gujarati cinema was a challenge but the award proved that “strong content transcends language and regional boundaries.” Actress Janki Bodiwala described the honor as a milestone in her career, saying, “There can be no greater joy than receiving this award from the President of India.”
Released in 2023, Vash drew wide appreciation for its gripping narrative, haunting screenplay, and intense performances. The story revolved around themes of black magic and manipulation, with Hiten Kumar’s character using hypnosis to control Arya, played by Bodiwala, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspense.
The recognition marks a significant step for Gujarati cinema, with Vash setting a benchmark for storytelling in the relatively uncommon genre of psychological horror.