'Shah Rukh Khan went unrecognised for years', says Anupam Kher while recalling Swades National Award snub

Actor Anupam Kher has opened up about Shah Rukh Khan’s first National Film Award win, saying the honour was long overdue. Speaking to PTI, Kher said Shah Rukh “100 per cent should have got the National Award” for his 2004 film Swades. He added that the actor went “unrecognised” for years despite memorable performances.

Anupam Kher on Shah Rukh Khan’s recognition

Kher, who has worked with Shah Rukh in several films, shared that he was personally happy to see the actor finally honoured after decades in cinema. “I am very happy for him, and personally happy that he finally got it after 40 years. You can imagine his disappointment for Swades, he 100 per cent should have got the National Award. So many other performances, like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, went unrecognised. Each time, he must have felt upset. So I am really glad he has finally received it,” Kher said.

He also noted that Shah Rukh’s win represents an important shift for mainstream cinema at the National Awards. “It is a very good thing because it is different from that narrative that you should do a special kind of film (to get a national award). I was very happy to see Karan Johar, Rani Mukerji and Shah Rukh Khan sitting together. It was a star-studded blockbuster National Award this year,” he added.

Shah Rukh’s journey with Swades

Swades, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, featured Gayatri Joshi, Kishori Ballal, Daya Shankar Pandey, Rajesh Vivek, and Lekh Tandon. Though the film underperformed commercially, it was critically acclaimed and has since become a cult classic. Shah Rukh won Best Actor at the Filmfare Awards for the role, but the National Award that year went to Saif Ali Khan for Hum Tum.

Recent win at the National Awards

At the 71st National Film Awards held on Wednesday, President Droupadi Murmu presented Shah Rukh with the Best Actor award for Jawan (2023). He shared the honour with Vikrant Massey, recognised for his work in 12th Fail.

Fans will next see Shah Rukh in Siddharth Anand’s King, alongside Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Jackie Shroff, Rani Mukerji, and others.