People's appreciation is ultimate: Rishab Shetty on winning National Film Awards for Kantara

BENGALURU: The overwhelming reception, both from the masses and the critics, had made Rishab Shetty's Kantara a strong contender for the major honours at the National Film Awards. The jury's decision to choose Kantara as the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment and its lead actor, Rishab, for the best actor award is in consonance with the acclamation the movie received across languages and national frontiers.
Rishab spoke to TOI within hours of the announcement of the awards, saying it was all the result of teamwork.
Your first reaction on winning the national award?
Regardless of being an actor or director, the credit must go to the entire Kantara team as each one of them has contributed immensely to this success. As I've been saying since the beginning, I dedicate this to Appu sir (Puneeth Rajkumar), Daiva (the folk dieties of Tulunadu), daiva nartakas (ritual dancers) and their families, and to all Kannadigas for their support throughout the journey.
When did you hear the news and who first wished you?
There were rumours and many were calling me to ask for a reaction. I refused to comment as there was no official word. I heard it from the selection committee as I watched their press conference on television. My wife Pragati was the first one to wish me, and many others in the industry, including Yash sir, conveyed their wishes.
At first, people overwhelmingly supported Kantara, now the national awards. Has this increased your responsibility?
Your biggest reward comes from the people. If they accept and hail your work, it will be like a crown on the head. A national award and any other recognition are only feathers on that crown. Previously, when we had won national awards, we had greater responsibility, and the same has doubled now. But it is entirely a team effort and I couldn't have accomplished all this alone. We need good writers, production houses, artists, technicians, and a team to achieve all this. I'm happy we (Sandalwood) have that team and definitely we'll work together to bring out more creative works.
There are reports you outperformed superstar Mammootty to bag this award. What do you have to say about this?
I really don't know about this. I also saw it on social media. I don't know which movies were before the jury to judge. They (Mammootty sir and others) are all legendary actors, I don't even have the energy to stand in front of such legends. I believe the jury has considered the character in the movie and picked that character for the award. If there were such legends in the race, I consider myself the luckiest.
What is your reaction to the national awards recognising strides made by Sandalwood?
I'm happy that we (Sandalwood) are able to reach that level. Happy to see that such barriers are broken and the creative hard work of artists from here is being acknowledged. This, in fact, gives us the even bigger challenge of delivering the best works in the days to come.