"It is yet to sink in completely. But yes, it feels great, " said Ananya Chatterjee Wednesday soon after being named Best Actress at the 57th National Film Awards for her portrayal of a young actress who becomes the love interest of a married director in Bengali film "Abohoman".

"It is the first big award in my life. When I heard my name being read out as best actress, I did not realise the importance. Now that people are calling up I understand I have achieved something, " said Ananya, who made her debut on the big screen with the thriller "Raat Barotaa Panch".

Prior to that she acted in several television serials, and did three telefilms directed by Anjan Dutt -- "John Johnny Janardan", "Ek Din Darjeeling" and "Amar Baba".

After "Raat Barotaa Panch" which bombed at the box office, Ananya's other films include "Aamra", "Probhu Nashto Hoye Jaaye" and "Dwando". In "Dwando", she played a married woman who gets romantically involved with another man.

She has also been seen on the big screen in Anjan Dutt's Byomkesh Bakshi thriller "Adim Ripu".

Giving credit to "Abohoman" director Rituparno Ghosh for her success, Ananya said: "It was a totally great journey under him. Every minute I was learning. I learnt, I observed him and learnt more."

"Working with Rituparno was a great experience, and gave me a great feeling. He is such a perfectionist that no detail escapes his eyes. His detailing was overwhelming."

"Abohoman" (Eternal), produced by Reliance Big Pictures, fetched Rituparno the Best Director award.

The film explores the nuances of relationships.

Aniket (Dipankar De), a renowned director, falls in live with Shikha (Ananya) - an actress as young as his son - when he casts her in the role of a famous theatre actress Binodini. The attraction leads to tension and events that tend to upset the peace in Aniket's till then happy family life.

Asked how it felt at her name being mentioned alongside that of superstar Amitabh Bachchan who bagged the Best Actor award for his performance in Hindi film "Paa", Ananya replied: "Only the two names are being mentioned side by side. I cannot stand beside him in acting."