The acclaimed trio of Satyaprem Ki Katha - producers Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora, alongside director Sameer Vidwans, clinched the Best Film award for their 2019 Marathi film 'Anandi Gopal' - based on the life and experiences of India's first female physician specializing in western medicine Anandi Gopal Joshi.
The State Awards, held on February 22 in Mumbai, honored films released between 2019-2022. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards were delayed by four years, resulting in a plethora of nominations across various categories within this timeframe.
'Anandi Gopal' had previously won the National Award for Best Film (Social Awareness) and has been the recipient of multiple awards since its release. The film continued its winning streak at the State Awards, securing wins in various categories, including Best Film (Social Awareness), Best Director (Social Awareness), Best Dialogue, and Best Production Design.
Commenting on this latest achievement, producer Shareen Mantri Kedia said, "It's an honor to receive the prestigious Maharashtra State Award for a film that is very close to our hearts. 'Anandi Gopal' is an extremely special film that has managed to impact thousands of people across the country, generating social awareness regarding women and women empowerment. We at Namah Pictures are delighted for this recognition from the state as well as the entire nation. Here's hoping to create more such magic with all our upcoming projects."
Talking about the prestigious win, director Sameer Vidwans said, "Anandi Gopal is a story that we as a team knew we wanted to showcase. It's a story with so much soul and inspiration - a true triumph of human spirit. And to win for a film like this with partners like Namah Pictures feels like a real victory. It's an honor that the State has bestowed upon us and I hope to continue living upto this honor for the future as well."
Interestingly, this winning trio of Shareen, Kishor, and Sameer also delivered one of the most commercially successful films of 2023, 'Satyaprem ki Katha,' starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani.
