Actor Neena Gupta expressed gratitude on Friday over receiving the award for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 70th National Film Awards for the film Uunchai (2022).
Neena, who last won the best supporting actress in 1994 for her role in Woh Chhokri, bagged another trophy in the same segment for her role in 2022 Hindi film Uunchai, which also won filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya his maiden award for best director.
"I can't believe I have got the award. It is yet to sink in. I've got two National Awards in the past (for Bazar Sitaram and Woh Chokri) and I am getting another National award after many many years, it's a big thing for me," she told PTI.
"My mantra is to just keep working hard. There have been times when you don't get an award even though when you have given a great performance but eventually your hard work pays off. I believe mehnat kare jao, phal toh milega aur yeh award meri mehnat ka phal hai (If you work hard, you will be awarded and this is the result of my hard work)," she added.
The 70th National Film Awards were announced on Friday. The Best Film Award was bagged by the Malayalam film Aattam (2023), directed by Anand Ekarshi, while Rishab Shetty won the Best Actor Award for Kantara (2022).
The Best Actress award, like last year was again shared between two, Nithya Menen for Thiruchitrambalam (2022) and Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express (2023).