The 72nd National Film Awards have been announced for films released in 2024, and one of the major winners is the film Amaran. Based on Major Mukund Varadarajan, the late Ashoka Chakra awardee, the film is directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and stars Sivakarthikeyan in the lead role, alongside Sai Pallavi. Besides a national award each for editor R Kalaivanan and background music composer GV Prakash, Amaran also earned Rajkumar Periasamy a win in the Best Director category.

In an exclusive conversation with Cinema Express, Rajkumar Periasamy reflected on the achievements not just for Amaran but also for his upcoming film Om's stars, Dhanush and Mammootty. The filmmaker shares, "We have already received multiple accolades for the film. Each time it won an award, many told me that it would win a National Award as well. I did not expect it to win the award while making it. However, I do feel delighted about it, especially since it is a recognition for the best direction category on the whole, across industries and from among multiple nominees."

The National Award is a feather in the cap for Amaran and the team behind it. The film became a blockbuster at the time of its release, earning more than 300 crore from theatres worldwide. During his conversation with CE, Rajkumar also said that it has inspired many to join the army. "Many have told me that and even sent me screenshots of their enrollment in the OTA and enlistments in the army."

While Rajkumar Periasamy did not expect the National Award for Amaran, he admitted that he wanted the film to serve as an inspiration for army aspirants. "I wanted the film to be that impactful at the time of making, although I never expected that this would also become true."

As Amaran is a biopic, the achievement makes it extra special for Rajkumar. He adds, "Right now, I am getting back-to-back calls, mostly from the media, congratulating me on the achievement. However, I am planning to speak to the family of Major Mukund. Indhu ma'am (Major Mukund's wife Indhu Rebecca Varghese) is in Australia right now. His father and mother are at home in India, and they keep in touch with me constantly. Mukund sir's mother told me that I would definitely win the National Award."

When asked whether his film's lead actor Sivakarthikeyan has reached out to him, the director laughs, "He is yet to talk to me. I think he is busy on another film's shoot."

While some tend to take in the pressure or the burden of being a National Award winner, Rajkumar Periasamy said that he does not feel thus after his win for Amaran. "Instead, I find it a great sign of encouragement from the jury, especially for the acknowledgement in the overall direction category. I am also glad to see that the country has recognised regional films. This recognition will only make me focus more and move forward with confidence."

Speaking of which, Rajkumar is already working on his next film, Om, starring Dhanush and Mammootty—two other winners of the 72nd National Film Awards. While Dhanush's Raayan has won Best Tamil Film, Mammootty has been presented with Best Actor for his performance in Bramayugam alongside Kartik Aryan for Chandu Champion.

Speaking about Dhanush, Rajkumar says, "He is such a good actor. The fact that he is also a director, who has acted with many excellent filmmakers previously, makes it easier to communicate the directorial vision with him. Working with him offers much clarity and is quite an easy task."

Regarding the multiple winners from Om, Rajkumar shares, "I am delighted about Dhanush sir and Mammootty sir winning the National Awards. Bramayugam is an excellent film." The Amaran filmmaker also added that his admiration for Mammootty goes beyond Bramayugam and the national recognition. "Even before this National Award, Mammootty sir is a big legend and I have adored him as an actor. That is why I waited for him to join Om in this character. It is a proud moment for me and an exciting process for me to direct him."

Recently, team Om celebrated Mammootty's Padma Bhushan award win. On whether there would be a similar celebration with the team for his, Dhanush and Mammootty's awards, Rajkumar smiles, "I will have to wait and see and will probably get to know that when I reach the set."