Irrfan Khan says that veteran actor Nana Patekar should have won the National Award for his performance in the much-appreciated Marathi film 'Natsamrat'.

At a screening of the recent Marathi blockbuster 'Sairat' he organised, Irrfan, asked about 'Natsamrat', said: "Outstanding film. I think it should've won the National Award for Nanaji. Anyway, I wasn't in the jury."

The Mahesh Manjrekar-directed 'Natsamrat', starring Nana as a veteran stage actor, was a highly critically acclaimed film, which also did brilliant business at the box-office.

Incidentally, it was megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who won the Best Actor National Award for "Piku" in which Irrfan also played a crucial role.

Considering the fact that most of the National Awards winners this year have been films which released in 2015 such as 'Piku', 'Bajirao Mastani', 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', it is not clear if 'Natsamrat', which released on January 1, 2016, still has a chance next year.

Films such as 'Tharai Thappattai' and 'Sairat', which released in 2016, have however been considered this year. Apparently there is a particular rule, which state that the film has to be certified by the CBFC between January 1 and December 31 to be considered for National Awards.

About Marathi cinema in general, Irrfan added: "Marathi film industry is hitting a sixer every year. And this is great for Indian film industry... In Marathi cinema, when Umesh Kulkarni had started making his films, 'Vihir', 'Deool', that's when I came to know that some interesting work happens there. And since then I have been in touch with Marathi cinema and have been watching it."

About the importance of regional cinema, he added: "Regional cinema is what is creating a new kind of cinema. The way Hollywood and Hindi cinema has got popular, similarly regional cinema has also got popular, and Marathi cinema is the prime example of it. Every year some good film is coming from there. I feel that in some other place as well regional cinema will evolve with fresh cinema."

Is Irrfan open to acting in Marathi films? "Yes, why not? If I get a good role and a good director, then definitely I'll run to do it."

Irran has acted in a Bengali and a Telugu film before.


Irrfan: Films like 'Sairat' gives us courage to compete with Hollywood

Irrfan Khan says that films such as the Marathi blockbuster 'Sairat' will give the Indian film industry the courage to compete with Hollywood.

"There is a need for our films to address universal audiences and this film is a new language. This film is an identity of the new cinema that will evolve and what the young generation will bring forth. These kind of films will give us the courage to compete with Hollywood films," he said on the sidelines of a screening of "Sairat" he organized.

Irrfan is one of the few Indian actors to do well in Hollywood, having worked in popular films such as "Slumdog Millionaire", and "Jurassic World" among others. 'Sairat' has become the highest grossing Marathi film of all time, having collected Rs.65 crores at the box office and is still going strong with 525 screens showcasing it in its fourth week.

About his reason for hosting the screening, Irrfan said: "I felt that our young generation watches a lot of Hollywood cinema and often doesn't watch our films. So I thought of organising this screening for all the kids' friends and close ones to give the young generation a taste of it to let them know what is happening in our cinema."

Asked if films like 'Sairat' can even beat Hindi films, he said: "The more cinema gets diverse, it is better for the audience and for the growth of the industry. Our audiences are demanding a lot and our industry is unable to cope up with it. That is why Hollywood's films are earning so much money."

Lead actors of the film, Rinku Rajguru and Akash Thosar, have become overnight superstars, having been awarded Rs.5 crore each by the producers after the stellar success. About the actors, Irrfan said: "The way the director uses them in the story is fantastic and they have done a fantastic job."

About director Nagraj Manjule, whose first film 'Fandry' was also immensely appreciated, Irrfan said: "For a new director, who makes his first film and it turns out good, making the second film is equally difficult because whatever treasures he had gets exposed. Making the second film so successful is the most difficult thing for any successful director and that Nagraj has done, and I salute him."

Irrfan will next be seen in the film 'Madaari'.