Dhanush Breaks Silence on National Award Debate: “Nowadays Almost Everyone Is Questioning My Award…”

Chennai: Dhanush has finally addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the 72nd National Film Awards, where his directorial venture Raayan was honoured with the Best Tamil Film award. While the recognition was celebrated by many fans, it also sparked widespread discussion, with some viewers and critics arguing that films like Meiyazhagan and Maharaja were more deserving of the prestigious honour.

Speaking at a recent public event, the actor-filmmaker responded to the criticism for the first time. Rather than dismissing the opinions, Dhanush acknowledged that the past year had produced several exceptional Tamil films and admitted that he understood why many people felt Meiyazhagan and Maharaja deserved greater recognition.

However, he also reminded audiences that film awards are ultimately subjective, reflecting the perspective of the jury rather than a unanimous public verdict.

“Everyone Is Questioning My National Award”

During his speech, Dhanush made a candid observation that quickly caught the attention of fans and social media users.“Nowadays almost everyone is questioning my National Award. But no one spoke about this when movies like Pudhupettai, Maryan, Karnan, Vada Chennai and Raanjhanaa did not receive the recognition many believed they deserved.”

The actor pointed out that several of his most celebrated performances and films were overlooked during their release years despite receiving immense praise from audiences and critics alike.

A Look Back at Overlooked Classics

Dhanush reflected on a string of films that have since achieved cult status, including Pudhupettai, Vada Chennai, Karnan, Maryan, and Raanjhanaa. According to the actor, while these projects may not have won National Awards, they have continued to earn admiration over time and remain among the most respected works in Indian cinema.

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He suggested that appreciation often grows long after a film’s theatrical run, proving that awards are not the sole measure of a movie’s impact or legacy.

Debate Around ‘Raayan’ Continues

The recognition of Raayan has reignited discussions about how National Film Awards are evaluated. Supporters of Meiyazhagan and Maharaja continue to believe those films deserved top honours, while others have defended Raayan, arguing that artistic achievements are interpreted differently by every jury.

The debate has once again highlighted the challenge of judging cinema, where multiple deserving films compete for limited awards each year.

Fans Rally Behind Dhanush

Following Dhanush’s remarks, many fans echoed his sentiments online, pointing out that several of his earlier performances have only grown in stature with time. They argued that many of his films, initially overlooked during awards season, are today regarded as modern classics within Indian cinema.

Rather than focusing solely on one award, Dhanush’s response has shifted the conversation toward the many outstanding films that often go unrecognised despite leaving a lasting impression on audiences.

As discussions around the 72nd National Film Awards continue, the actor’s comments serve as a reminder that critical acclaim, audience appreciation, and awards do not always go hand in hand, and that a film’s true legacy is often defined over the years rather than on a single awards night.