This should have been Bachchan’s 25th National Award: Balki

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MUMBAI - Director R. Balki, whose film “Paa” fetched Amitabh Bachchan the best actor award at the 57th National Film Awards Wednesday, said the megastar deserved 25 such awards.

“This should have been Amit-ji’s 25th National Award. Truly proud of Amit-ji and Arundhati (Naag),“ Balki, who is presently in London, said in a statement.

“Paa” bagged four awards - best actor for Bachchan; best Hindi language feature film; best make-up artist award for Hollywood’s Christien Tinsley and Dominie Till; and best supporting actress for Arundhati Naag, who played the Big B’s grandmother in the movie.

In the film, Bachchan essayed the role of a boy suffering from progeria, a rare condition that causes premature ageing among children. While Abhishek Bachchan played his dad, Vidya Balan was seen as his on-screen mother.

Balki had a word of praise for Abhishek and Vidya too.

“I think Vidya and Abhishek were equally good. I am glad that people loved the film,” the director said.

Bachchan has earlier received the prestigious award for his iconic films “Agneepath” and “Black”.