Vidya Balan's name being announced as the Best Actress at the 59th National Awards came as no big surprise

The 59th National Film Awards were announced on Wednesday. And Vidya Balan, who has won all the popular awards this year, couldn't have asked for a better icing on the cake as she was adjudged winner of the National Award for Best Actress for The Dirty Picture.

Says Vidya Balan, "I'm in a state of pleasant shock. The moment I got the message, I called my family. My mum was crying, my sister was screaming something It's a long cherished dream come true.

I don't know what to say. I thank Milan (the director of The Dirty Picture) and Ekta (producer) for giving me this film. This is unbelievable. It's the biggest award in the country... This is very special.

Talking about the character Silk (Vidya played South siren Silk), it required me to be totally uninhibited.

The success of The Dirty Picture has opened a lot of opportunities, especially the kinds of roles for female actors.

It is very nice to see that the line between so-called meaningful cinema and commercial cinema has blurred."

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Hard work bears fruit

Vikas Bahl, Best Screenplay: I had no clue about the awards and my dad called me from Delhi to congratulate me on winning the honours. More than anything else, I feel the generosity shown by Salman, Sohail, Salim uncle and Ranbir Kapoor.

Bosco, Best Choreography: Our director Zoya (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) was the first to call saying we might be winning the award. Caesar called to give the good news. Looking back, the vibe was to keep the movements natural with the actors.

Girish Kulkarni, Best Actor: I must admit feeling child-like joy on hearing the news. I dedicate the award to the team (of Best Screenplay), which did a great job and even stretched themselves to give their best. And to think that at one time, I had wondered if the film would even get made and reach the theatres.

Partho Gupte, Best Child Artist: I had just reached at the gate of my school when my dad called and broke the news to me. Of course, it's a big achievement and I'm very thrilled.

I remember Dad shooting barely two-three hours in workshop style with no dialogues for us. We were given situations and had to make up our own lines. But I'm not thinking of any more movies for now as my focus is on studies.