Gujarati Cinema Shines: ‘Vash’ Wins Two Honors at the 71st National Film Awards

New Delhi [India], September 24: The winners of the 71st National Film Awards, which recognized films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31, 2023, were announced last month. Marking a proud moment for Gujarati cinema, the psychological thriller ‘Vash’, starring Janki Bodiwala, recieved two major awards. The film was honored as "Best Gujarati Film", while actress Janki Bodiwala received the award for "Best Supporting Actress" for her powerful performance. At the grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the award for Best Gujarati Film, which was received by director Krishnadev Yagnik (Big Box Series Production) and producer Kalpesh Soni (KS Entertainment). Janki Bodiwala was felicitated with the Best Supporting Actress award.

The prestigious occasion was also graced by the film’s producers Krunal Soni (KS Entertainment), Nilay Chotai (Ananta Business Corp), and Dipen Patel (Patel Processing Studio), along with director Krishnadev Yagnik and producer Kalpesh Soni.

Sharing their sentiments, producers Krunal Soni, Kalpesh Soni, Nilay Chotai, and Dipen Patel said, "This is an immensely proud moment for us. While making Vash, we never imagined that the film would receive such high national recognition. This award is the result of our team’s hard work and the love of our audiences. It inspires us to work on even stronger stories. We believe Gujarati cinema is moving in a new direction, and being part of this journey is truly a privilege." Director Krishnadev Yagnik added, "It is a matter of pride for us that we could authentically present a genre like psychological horror in Gujarati cinema. This national recognition proves that when the content is strong, neither language nor regional limitations are barriers. I dedicate this award to both my team and our audiences." Expressing her emotions, actress Janki Bodiwala said, "There can be no greater joy than receiving this honor from the President of India. I am deeply grateful to the entire Vash team and especially to Krishnadev Sir for giving me this opportunity. This award is a major milestone in my acting career." Written and directed by Krishnadev Yagnik, Vash was a gripping psychological horror thriller that kept audiences hooked until the very end. The film explored themes of black magic and manipulation, with impactful performances by Janki Bodiwala, Hitu Kanodia, and Hiten Kumar. The storyline depicted Hiten Kumar’s character using hypnosis to control Janki Bodiwala’s character, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspense.

Released in 2023, Vash received widespread appreciation from both audiences and critics for its intense narrative, haunting screenplay, unique cinematography, and powerful performances. Janki Bodiwala, who played the role of Arya, stood out with her compelling portrayal of fear, conflict, and psychological trauma, earning acclaim across the board.

This national recognition is not only a proud achievement for the Vash team but also for the entire Gujarati film industry. By successfully exploring the relatively uncommon genre of psychological horror in regional cinema, Vash has set a new benchmark for storytelling.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)