Actor-filmmaker Kunal Kemmu's hilarious directorial debut Madgaon Express released more than a year ago, but the buddy-comedy continues to charm people—and the jury. At the upcoming edition of the Screenwriters Association Awards, the film, starring Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi and Avinash Tiwary, has landed three top nominations and Kunal is thrilled that the writing community has acknowledged his work.

Kunal had written and directed the film, which was produced by Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment. Madgaon Express was lauded for its humourous and witty writing and now has three nominations to its credit: Best story, screenplay, and dialogue.

Reacting to his directorial debut receiving acclaim at the 6th edition of the SWA awards, Kunal said, "I am very happy and excited to be nominated in all three categories for my debut film. For all the love that Madgaon Express has received. This is the first time that a work of mine has been acknowledged by the writing community itself."

Before Madgaon Express, the other title that Kunal had a writing credit on was the cult-comedy Go Goa Gone, for which he had penned the dialogues. "Writing is a difficult, solitary process and such awards bring it in the spotlight. I am keeping my fingers crossed," the actor added.

The other nominees in the best story and screenplay category include Imtiaz Ali for Amar Singh Chamkila, Atul Sabharwal for Berlin, Avinash Sampath for CTRL and Karan Gour for Fairy Folk.

In the dialogue category, Kunal is joined by other nominees, including writer-comedian Sumukhi Suresh for CTRL, Karan Gour for Fairy Folk, Devang Tiwari and Amit Pradhan for Jo Tera Hai Woh Mera Hai and Niren Bhatt for Stree 2.

The SWA Awards will be held on August 9 and honour groundbreaking films, series, and TV shows of 2024 that pushed the envelope of storytelling.