India, July 18 -- The National Film Awards announced on Saturday, for work which released in 2024, brought cheer for the Hindi film industry. And not just in the Feature Film section, but Non-Feature section too.

Filmmaker Aanand L Rai, known for his Tanu Weds Manu franchise and Raanjhanaa, has been declared Best Director in the non-feature film category, for Statue of Unity: Ekta Ka Prateek. It was a documentary presented by actor Akshay Kumar. And when HT City speaks to him, he can't contain his happiness, and how proud he feels of Aanand.

"I am delighted that Anand L Rai has received this honour for his brilliant direction of Statue of Unity - Ekta ka Prateek. I feel fortunate to have presented such an inspiring documentary on the la...