MUMBAI: In a heart-warming twist of fate, hindi movie icon Shah Rukh Khan has finally received his long-overdue National Award, not for the performance many believed he was unfairly overlooked for, but for his powerhouse act in Jawan.
And in a poetic moment that has sent fans into a nostalgic frenzy, the award announcement came from none other than Ashutosh Gowariker—the director of Swades, the very film for which SRK once believed he truly deserved the honour.
Years ago, Shah Rukh stirred conversation across the industry with a rare candid remark that resurfaced recently.
While speaking during a public interaction with filmmaker Kunal Kohli—who directed Hum Tum—SRK cheekily commented, “Hum Tum was a good movie. His actor [Saif Ali Khan] got the National Award for Best Actor, but I feel I should have got it.
But that’s a different story.” Though light-hearted in tone, the statement revealed the emotional weight of having poured his soul into a role that remains one of his most critically lauded performances.
In Swades, Shah Rukh portrayed Mohan Bhargava, an NRI NASA scientist who reconnects with his roots and commits to bringing real change to rural India.
The film, directed by Gowariker, was a powerful social drama that deviated from SRK’s romantic hero image, offering a performance laced with restraint, empathy, and depth. Though Swades did not fetch him the coveted award at the time—Saif Ali Khan was named Best Actor for Hum Tum in 2005—the debate over who truly deserved the honour has endured for years.
Fast forward to 2025, and the stars have finally aligned. SRK has officially bagged his first National Award for his performance in Atlee’s Jawan—a film that saw him in a fierce, socially charged avatar, once again pushing boundaries and redefining his screen presence.
Adding an emotional layer to the moment, it was Ashutosh Gowariker who took to the stage to announce SRK’s win, bringing the journey full circle for fans and the actor alike.
Critics and audiences have long hailed Swades as one of the most poignant films in Indian cinema, and one of SRK’s finest works. Over the years, the film's quiet power, socio-political relevance, and grounded storytelling have continued to resonate—cementing its place as a cinematic gem.
While the National Award may have eluded Swades, its legacy lives on. And now, with Shah Rukh Khan finally receiving the nation’s highest acting honour—delivered by the very filmmaker who helped craft one of his most celebrated performances—the moment feels not just deserved, but beautifully poetic.
Because in cinema, as in life, some journeys take time—but are worth every step.
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(ALSO READ: Gauahar Khan beams with joy as she shares stage with the King Of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan; see pictures)
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