Exclusive | Writer Deepak Kingrani on his National Award win for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai: A surreal feeling

For Deepak Kingrani, the story, dialogue, and scriptwriter of the Manoj Bajpayee-led film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, receiving National Film Awards was special.

For Deepak Kingrani, the story, dialogue, and scriptwriter of the Manoj Bajpayee-led film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (2023), the announcement of the National Film Awards was special. The true impact of winning Best Dialogue Writing hit him only when he stood before the President and film industry stalwarts.

Deepak Kingrani after receiving National Film Award for writing the dialogues for the film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai from the President at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday

Kingrani, who received the award for penning the powerful dialogues of the directed by Apoorva Singh Karki, describes the experience as “beyond words.”

Deepak Kingrani with his wife Shweta and daughter Bhuvi

“It’s a surreal feeling. When you are immersed in your work, you never expect to receive such monumental recognition. It is a profoundly humbling experience, and for a writer, it leaves you speechless, which is ironic because writing is my profession!” he shares.

Writer Deepak Kingrani before the award ceremony

The occasion was made even more special by the presence of his family. He was accompanied by his mother, Kavita Kingrani, his wife, Shweta, and his daughter, Bhuvi, who had travelled all the way from Denmark to be part of the ceremony and celebrate the milestone.

“We even did a rehearsal yesterday to understand the protocol,” he revealed. “But when the ceremony actually began, the feeling was entirely different and incredibly special. To be among awardees not just from the Hindi film industry, but from all over India, and to see even the child artistes who are so inspiring, was overwhelming,” he adds.

Deepak adds that his award is the victory for the entire team of Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai as “afterall its a collaborative effort”.