Happy that the Best Actor award at IFFI went to India, says Jitendra Joshi

Jitendra Joshi was conferred with the Best Actor (Male) award for his performance in the upcoming Marathi movie Godavari (2021) at the 52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which concluded in Goa yesterday.

The film’s director Nikhil Mahajan was given the Special Jury award.

Joshi, who has turned producer with Godavari, said in a statement, “Godavari is my first film [as producer]. This is the result of the hard work put in by our team and director Nikhil Mahajan. I am very happy to know that the Best Actor award went to India. To represent India and gain the honour is a big deal.”

He added, “I also started wondering why I didn’t get this award before and why a film of mine didn’t go to the festival. But I then realized this is a director’s medium. That’s why the Special Jury award went to my dear friend Nikhil Mahajan. So the whole credit goes to him and the entire team. I am very happy. I hope Godavari gets the same love at the ticket window.” The film is set for release in cinemas on 3 December.

Sharing his reaction, Mahajan added, “I feel very happy. We shot the film in trying circumstances during the pandemic. Senior actors like Vikram Gokhale, Sanjay Mone and Neena Kulkarni came forward for us to work during such a time. Our whole team worked hard and put in a lot of effort for the film. The award belongs not just to me, but to the whole team.”

The filmmaker also credited his parents. “I come from a small town like Aurangabad," he said. "My parents fully deserve the credit for someone like me to come from a small town and reach such a big stage like IFFI, compete with 15 international films and win this award. I totally dedicate this award to my parents for the support they have given me.”

Godavari is the story of Nishikant (Joshi) who goes through a mundane life of collecting rent for his family of landowners. The film is set to be released later this week.