Actor Alia Bhatt has been announced as the winner of the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi. This is Alia's first win and her parents, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actor Soni Razdan, are proud of their daughter's achievement. Calling her his "little girl", Mahesh said that this was a "moment of pride" for the family. Mahesh told India Today that Alia's "achievements are her own." He added, "I would say that it is undoubtedly a moment of great joy for me, and a moment of pride for family that this little girl got both popular mandate and also the highest award of the nation as best actor. I think she has got both the polls which is something we all thirst for. That is a unique achievement, I believe, at this stage in her life. We all relish this, her husband and her extended family, this award with her." Talking about Alia's performance in Bhansali's film, Mahesh said, "The gravitas with which she managed to play Gangubai shows her determination. Credit also goes to the director who managed to pull off such a great movie. The soil was there. The narrative was there. The award is always given to the cumulative impact that the actor has in that particular role that has a larger message. Like in Gangubai, how a victim turns her personal tragedy into her strength and becomes a beacon of hope for other women around her. That is life-affirming." Alia's mother Soni also spoke to the publication and said that they are grateful for the opportunities that Alia has got in her life. "We, as a family, are all extremely proud of her and hugely grateful for not only the wonderful work she's done but also for the opportunities she has received in her young life to be able to do that work. This is the highest honour for any creative person. We are naturally delighted," she said. Alia's mother-in-law Neetu Kapoor shared an Instagram story for her and wrote, "So so proud of you @aliabhatt for your first national award. God Bless." After the announcement, Alia shared a post on Instagram thanking her family, friends and fans for their support. A part of her caption read, "I am SO grateful 🙏.. I do not take moments like these lightly.. I hope to continue to entertain for as long as I can.." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt 💛 (@aliaabhatt) Gangubai Kathiawadi won five National Film Awards. Apart from Alia's win as Best Actress, the film also won for Best Screenplay (Adapted), Best Dialogue Writer, Best Editing, Best Make-up.
