Prakruti Mishra receives National Film Award for 'Hello Arsi'

Bhubaneswar: Ollywod Actor Prakruti Mishra today received the National Film Award in Special Mention category for her film 'Hello Arsi' in New Delhi.

The actor received the coveted award from Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani at the 65th National Film Awards ceremony held in the national capital today.

Earlier, around 80 awardees had threatened to skip the ceremony after a last-minute announcement that President Ramnath Kovind would be presenting only 11 awards. In a break from tradition, Smriti Irani presented most of the awards today.

Speaking to OTV on the recipients' decision to skip the event, Prakruti, earlier in the day had said that she has no objection on the change in the schedule and the award for the movie itself is a matter of pride for her.

"The letter had mentioned that recipients will receive the award from the President of India, but a last-minute announcement yesterday informed that the President will give away a few awards, rest will be given by Union Minister Smriti Irani. But it does not make any difference for me because declaration of the award for the movie itself is a matter of pride for me. Appreciation of the movie by all juries and the audience is a great achievement for the whole team of the movie," she said.

"It would have been a great honour for me to receive the award from the President of India. But it is equally important for me to receive the award from Smriti Irani Maam. I hope the matter will be solved very soon," she added.

The actor thanked producer of 'Hello Arsi,' Ajay Routray, writer late Sambit Mohanty and her father Manmath Mishra for the achievement.