Jersey, yes, but Maharshi?

It’s a norm that every National Film Awards announcement is followed by a debate about the credibility of the awards and the choices made by the jury. This year hasn’t proven to be any different. Both in Tamil and Telugu cinema, films featuring popular commercial stars – Ajith, Dhanush, Mahesh Babu, Nani, Vijay Sethupathi – have bagged top honours and ruled the roost.

Particularly in Telugu cinema, there was little doubt that Jersey was one of the best films to have released in 2019 and its win in the best film (regional) and best editing categories was fitting, to say the least. Maharshi earned mixed reviews upon release but managed to be a solid commercial success in its theatrical run. However, not many would have given it a chance with a prestigious honour like the National Awards and the choice, especially for its win in the category of providing wholesome entertainment.

Dil Raju has gotten lucky with his banner for the second time now after Shatamanam Bhavati. Alike Maharshi, even Shatamanam Bhavati was a surprise inclusion at the National Awards announcement. The worthiness of the choice on a platform that honours the best of Indian cinema may be debatable again but the fact remains that Maharshi took up a hard-hitting social issue and gave it a mainstream cinema touch.