India, July 18 -- Actor Randeep Hooda won the National Film Award this year for the 2024 film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. The biographical drama based on the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar faced a series of challenges before its release. In a statement after winning the award, Randeep recalls the shooting process and more. (Also Read: 72nd National Film Awards full list of winners: Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Mammootty win big; as does Article 370)

Randeep expressed happiness at winning a National Award, stating, "Being announced as the winner of the National Award for Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is a moment I'm still trying to process. This film asked more of me than anything I've ever done."

He then recalled how c...