Cinema of Substance

Best Director

I’m happy that so many good small films have been given recognition by Screen or else they would be lost forever. It feels good to be competing with filmmakers I admire so much. We all started in television around the same time.

-Anurag Kashyap, Ugly

Highway was directed without technique. I’m very happy people liked it because unlike several other films, it’s a simple story without any ornamentation with the heroine sans any make-up.

-Imtiaz Ali, Highway

I’m very surprised. Normally awards don’t look at our kind of films. They are meant for big budget films. Whether the film wins or not, doesn’t matter.

-Rajat Kapoor , Ankhon Dekhi

Receiving a nomination means your work is appreciated, particularly for a film like this which does not have a regular story line. I am all the more happy that a film like PK has set a benchmark on the commercial front as well.

-Rajkumar Hirani, PK

Everyone loved the film so much that it’s got a life of its own now. It’s something that’s just come together magically and it’s the whole team, with the performances, music, edit, and the emotion of an underdog told in such a touching manner. But we didn’t expect to be nominated.

-Vikas Bahl, Queen

Haider was a deeply challenging and important film for me, and involved a certain risk. A film is an expression of the filmmaker’s intentions. They must be honest and hence so much love poured in the form of appreciation by the critics and the public.

-Vishal Bhardwaj, Haider

Best Actor (Male)

Aamir Khan spent four months learning Bhojpuri. He worked on his look, made his eyes bigger, and protruded his ears. There were also rehearsals before each scene and schedule.

-Director Rajkumar Hirani speaks for Aamir Khan, PK

Hrithik Roshan is passionate about his craft and there are no half measures even if he has to enact a passing shot. So his nomination isn’t a surprise.

-Director Siddharth Anand speaks for Hrithik Roshan, Bang Bang

Randeep Hooda lived the life of Mahabir Bhati — wore his clothes, drove the tempo even when we were not shooting. Although, it was difficult, he could associate very closely to the life, conditions and mentality of his angst-ridden character.

-Director Imtiaz Ali speaks for Randeep Hooda, Highway

The high point is that I am competing with the likes of Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan. I feel very proud that I have been selected among such elite actors. I think the jury liked my work because of the sincerity with which I portrayed my character.

-Sanjay Mishra on Ankhon Dekhi

Haider has been a very special film as Hamlet is one of the most challenging roles for any actor. I am very happy that a film as difficult as this has received such an overwhelming response.

-Shahid Kapoor on Haider

Varun Dhawan has worked extremely hard on the film, doing up to 40 readings with his co-star Alia Bhatt. His performance may look effortless, but it was not easy for a boy hailing from the plush Juhu area of Mumbai to transform into a Delhi boy.

-Director Shashank Khaitan speaks for Varun Dhawan, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania

One of the nominees in this category, Shah Rukh Khan (for Happy New Year) was unavailable for comment

Best Actor (Female)

Highway is not just a film for me; it’s a fragment of my life. I feel honoured to be nominated among such talented actors.

-Alia Bhatt, Highway

It’s my favourite performance of Deepika Padukone. Understated, nuanced and so beautifully pitched as Angie, who is so complex and layered on the inside yet suppresses most of this.

-Director Homi Adajania speaks for Deepika Padukone, Finding Fanny

Queen wasn’t possible without Kangna Ranaut. She brought the character alive beyond imagination.

-Director Vikas Bahl speaks for Kangna Ranaut, Queen

I am so excited that Screen has acknowledged my work in Hasee Toh Phasee. It was a very challenging role and the hope of getting a nomination was always there.

-Parineeti Chopra, Hasee Toh Phasee

This has been a very exciting year for women in cinema and there have been some amazing performances across the board. I am honoured to be added to that list and to be recognised for my efforts to portray Mary Kom.

-Priyanka Chopra, Mary Kom

Rani Mukerji attended workshops and was involved in the research sessions along with the other cast members. She even visited police stations and actively participated during raids to learn the nuances of being a police officer. All that effort showed in her performance.

-Director Pradeep Sarkar speaks for Rani Mukerji, Mardaani