- By Tanya Garg
- Sat, 12 Sep 2026 12:16 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
As the National Film Awards 2026 are set to return on September 22, filmmaker Manish Saini told The Daily Jagran in an exclusive conversation that while this award brought recognition and credibility, it did not necessarily translate into commercial clout, especially when filmmakers approached established stars.
For Saini, the difference between critical recognition and commercial credibility was hard to ignore. A National Award could give a filmmaker visibility and earn respect, but it could be very different when it came to putting together a project.
"A National Award doesn't necessarily sway certain big stars. While you can approach talented actors—and they will respect you and find you approachable—stars often remain focused on box-office figures."
The filmmaker added, "In my experience, even after winning three National Awards, when you approach major stars, and they evaluate your script, they might decide against it, feeling the project lacks commercial value."
According to Saini, numbers could sometimes determine how a movie was perceived, with opinion changing once it began performing well at the box office.
"I have often observed a pattern where a film receives little critical acclaim initially, but once the box-office numbers start looking good, it suddenly garners praise from all quarters."
ALSO READ - 72nd National Film Awards To Be Held In Gujarat; Check Date, Time And Where To Watch Online?
Manish Saini's experience also extended to working with actors who carried decades of recognition of their own. Having worked with veteran actor Jackie Shroff, he had seen first-hand what it meant to have an actor of that stature on a set.
When asked whether Shroff's star power ever affected the way he approached him as a director, the filmmaker said, " I had never assisted anyone before, nor had I ever worked on a full-fledged film with such a huge star. In fact, this was my very first film. However, he turned out to be a very easy-going person."
"The best part was that he would often sense—even before I spoke—that what I was suggesting might not be exactly what the director wanted. He would say, 'Show me what you have in mind, and I’ll try to achieve that'. I would demonstrate it, and he would present it by adding his own subtle touch, making it perfect."
View this post on Instagram
For Manish Saini, the National Award was an important milestone, but the filmmaking journey did not become easier simply because the award was on the shelf.
FAQ
1. Who is Manish Saini?
Manish Saini is an Indian filmmaker who made his Bollywood directorial debut with The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman.
2. When are the National Film Awards 2026?
The 72nd National Film Awards will take place on September 22 in Gujarat.