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‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery’ Becomes Netflix’s First National Award-Winning Hindi Original!

Cine Reporter — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:17:13 +0000

The 71st National Film Awards ceremony have captured the hearts of audiences nationwide. Among the shining stars of the evening was Netflix’s Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, which was honoured as the Best Hindi Film for its quirky, rooted storytelling and remarkable performances.

Attending the prestigious ceremony were director #YashowardhanMishra, producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, producer Ektaa R Kapoor along with Monika Shergill from Netflix. The Director was felicitated with the award and medal by the Hon’ble President of India. With Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery becoming the first Netflix Original to win a National Award, this not only marks a new milestone but is also a testament to Netflix’s continued commitment to telling authentic Indian stories that reflect the country’s diversity, richness, and storytelling excellence for local and global audiences alike.

Monika Shergill, Vice President – Content, Netflix India, shared, “Today, as we receive the National Award for Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery at the 71st National Film Awards, it is a moment of great pride. This honor is a tribute to Yashowardhan Mishra’s distinct voice as a storyteller along with the writing brilliance of his co-writer, Ashok Mishra, the creative partnership of Balaji Telefilms and Sikhya Entertainment, and a film that captures both the humor and humanity of India’s heartland. With Sanya Malhotra and an exceptional ensemble cast bringing the story alive, Kathal reaffirms our belief, as Netflix, in the power of rooted, original storytelling. For us, this recognition at the National Film Awards, the highest benchmark of excellence in Indian cinema, is a proud affirmation and celebrates storytelling that is both deeply local and universally resonant.”

Producers Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain of Sikhya Entertainment shared, “Standing at the 71st National Film Awards today as Kathal is honoured has been nothing short of surreal. To see a story rooted in the heartland of India, in Madhya Pradesh, find its place on this stage is a moment we will always treasure. At the heart of this film lies the remarkable writing of Yashowardhan and Ashok Mishra and the sensitive direction by Yashowardhan, who together crafted a tale that delivers a subtle yet powerful reflection on society, capturing the humour, ironies, and truths of everyday life in small-town India. It was an absolute joy to collaborate with our leading force, #SanyaMalhotra, alongside the inimitable Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Brijendra Kala, and a stellar ensemble of actors and technicians who brought this story alive with such authenticity and heart. Our deepest gratitude to our supportive partners at Netflix India and Balaji Telefilms, and heartfelt thanks to our entire cast and crew who poured so much love into this film. This honour is a reminder of why we tell rooted, authentic stories, so that voices from every corner of India find their place in the spotlight.”

Ektaa R Kapoor, Joint Managing Director, Balaji Telefilms, added, “Attending the National Awards and celebrating Kathal’s win is a magical moment for our entire team at Balaji. This story was created to shine a light on authentic, quirky Indian narratives, and today’s recognition makes the journey unforgettable. Thank you to the jury and audience for embracing this story, and to Netflix who took this story from the heartlands of India to a global audience, it inspires us to keep supporting bold, original storytelling.”

Director and Co-Writer Yashowardhan Mishra said, “To be at the National Awards ceremony and hold this award for Kathal is both humbling and joyous. I share this honour with my co-writer Ashok Mishra, our stellar cast led by the extraordinary Sanya Malhotra, and our incredible partners at Sikhya Entertainment, Balaji Telefilms, and Netflix. This moment is a beautiful reminder that stories rooted in the everyday, told with heart and authenticity, have the power to resonate far and wide. I’m deeply grateful to the jury, our audiences, and everyone who believed in this film, this recognition makes the journey all the more meaningful.”

By Keerti Kadam

The post ‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery’ Becomes Netflix’s First National Award-Winning Hindi Original! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Netflix’s ‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery’ Wins Best Hindi Film at the 71st National Film Awards!

Cine Reporter — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:00:35 +0000

Inspired by a local news article, Netflix’s ‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery’ has gone on to make national headlines, winning the Best Hindi Film award at the 71st National Film Awards for the Year 2023. Produced by Sikhya Entertainment and Balaji Telefilms, the film is a shining example of how rooted, heartland stories can find both critical acclaim and national recognition.
This win marks another proud milestone in Netflix India’s journey of championing authentic Indian storytelling. From the Oscar-winning Elephant Whisperers to bringing home the International Emmy for Delhi Crime and Vir Das: Landing, these moments reaffirm Netflix’s belief in the power of good stories, told with heart, reaching audiences at home and across the globe.
Directed by #YashowardhanMishra and written in collaboration with his father, Ashok Mishra, the film is a quirky satire set in the fictional small town of Moba. Led by the talented #SanyaMalhotra, as the sincere and spirited police officer Mahima, alongside a delightful ensemble including Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Anantvijay Joshi, and Neha Saraf, the film brings to life characters from the Indian heartland with both warmth and wit.
While announcing the award, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, also a jury member, commended the film, saying, “For creating a mystery that peels back the absurd layers of bureaucracy and politics with a deliciously sharp satire that serves a hilarious yet thought-provoking take on misplaced priorities.”
The film also marks another successful collaboration between Netflix and Sikhya Entertainment, following acclaimed titles like Oscar-winning ‘The Elephant Whispers’, the profound Pagglait, and documentaries like Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous and Anuja. The collaboration is a testament to the commitment to ensuring great stories are told to the world.
*Director, Yashowardhan Mishra, delightedly shared*: _“I’m thankful to the jury for this great honour. It is incredibly reaffirming to be recognised for the work we do and the stories we choose to tell. I am grateful to have found collaborators in Guneet Monga Kapoor, Achin Jain, Balaji, Ekta Kapoor, and Netflix. I share this award with my wonderful cast and crew who shaped the film in myriad ways.”_
*Monika Shergill, Vice President – Content, Netflix India, shares,* _“We are incredibly honoured and grateful to celebrate Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery being awarded Best Hindi Feature Film at the 71st National Film Awards, the highest and most prestigious recognition in Indian cinema. The National Awards are a benchmark of creative excellence and cultural impact, and this win is a moment of immense pride for everyone who brought this extraordinary film to life. Under debut director Yashowardhan Mishra’s distinctive vision, and co-written with the acclaimed Ashok Mishra, Kathal is powered by the creative brilliance of our long-time collaborators Balaji Telefilms and Sikhya Entertainment. The film delivers a razor-sharp, socially charged satire rooted in rural India, a story told with rare wit, authenticity, and insight. Sanya Malhotra’s heartfelt and layered performance anchors the film with emotional resonance, portraying a character both grounded and powerful. This recognition reaffirms Netflix’s commitment to championing stories that are meaningful and deeply rooted in the fabric of India.”_
*Producer and CEO at Sikhya Entertainment, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Producer Achin Jain shared:* _“We are incredibly honoured to receive the Best Hindi Film award for Kathal at the 71st National Film Awards. Every time a story from the heart of India is honoured, it’s a win for every voice that deserves to be heard. A heartfelt congratulations to our brilliant director Yashowardhan Mishra, and his co-writer Ashok Mishra, for crafting a story that is sharp, original, and deeply human. Huge thanks to our producing partners Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor at Balaji Telefilms, and the entire team Sikhya Entertainment. Immense gratitude for our trusted platform partner Netflix India, and the incredible Monika Shergill, Ruchika Kapoor Sheikh. Shout out to Pratiksha Rao and Ankita Singh, who started this journey. And to Sanya Malhotra, who brought Mahima to life with such nuance, warmth, and unwavering strength! Kathal is a satirical tale rooted in the everyday, a reminder that truth often hides in the most unexpected places. This win is for every storyteller who dares to look closer and tell stories that matter.”_

*Ektaa R Kapoor, Joint Managing Director at Balaji Telefilms, shared,* _”Kathal winning the National Award is a deeply special moment for all of us at Balaji. This film was born out of an intent to tell rooted, quirky stories that connect with every Indian household. I’m so proud of our team for believing in the madness and magic of this story. A big thank you to the audience and jury for the love. This win only pushes us to back more such fearless storytelling.”_

Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery premiered on Netflix on 19th May 2023 and continues to receive love for its original, rooted, and refreshingly irreverent take on society.
Apart from Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, other titles that received the honour of a National Award and are currently streaming on Netflix include:
Special mentions: MR Rajakrishnan (Animal – Re-Recording)
Best Music Direction: Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
Best Music Direction: GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi)
Best Sound Design: Sachin Sudhakaran, Hariharan (Animal)
Best Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Chaleya – Jawan)
Best Actor in Leading Role:
Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan)
These award-winning titles reflect the diversity, richness, and storytelling excellence that Netflix continues to spotlight on its platform.

By Keerti Kadam

The post Netflix’s ‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery’ Wins Best Hindi Film at the 71st National Film Awards! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.