Happy with IFF Melbourne honour for 'Kapoor & Sons': Batra

Shakun Batra is happy that his last release "Kapoor & Sons", starring Fawad Khan, Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, won the best film honour at Indian Film Festival Melbourne, 2016.
The 33-year-old filmmaker says the cast of the film is delighted with the praise.
"I am really happy, the whole cast and crew at Dharma (Productions) is really happy. We went out there to just make the movie. It wasn't about big box office and awards. But, all of us are really happy that the belief we showed in the project is getting us a lot in return," Batra told PTI.

The director says he had a great time in Melbourne and the award was a cherry on the cake.
"It was wonderful to be in Melbourne, being with people who love films. For me, the fun part is making the film and working with people I like. When people, who have worked with me, feel they have done something good for me that is the validation.
"The next is when audience accepts the efforts and connects with the film. Awards are a cherry on top. It always make your success better. I, Fawad and Rishi (Kapoor) sir traveled together and Melbourne is a great city. For me, that was more exciting than the award," he said.

The "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" director also interacted with the film students from the university.

Batra said he could connect with the students as he has himself been through that phase during his days in Vancouver.
"The experience of interacting with university students was amazing. I have been a film student myself, I studied in Vancouver. I was more excited than the students as I wanted to know what they are watching now? Who are the directors they are excited about?
"It was great to exchange ideas with whole bunch of people passionate about films," he said.
Bollywood actors Sonam Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui won the best actress and best actor awards at the film festival.

Leena Yadav's "Parched" also received the best indie film award.
While Fawad was given a special diversity award, Rishi was honoured with the lifetime achievement award for excellence in cinema.