This award proves all the naysayers wrong: Priyadarshan

Filmmaker Priyadarshan whose social drama Kanchivaram bagged two awards at the 55th National Awards including the nod for the Best Film, says that the recognition has proved his detractors wrong.

The filmmaker, who is known for his commercial superhits like Hera Pheri and Hungama, is delighted with his first national award.

"It has to feel great, because I am a commercial filmaker and it proves those wrong who though I could do nothing but comedies," the filmmaker said.

Priyadarshan's Kanchivaram a period drama revolving around the weaver community of the famous temple town in Tamil Nadu, also won for actor Prakash Raj, the National award for the Best Actor.

The movie, which was premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, is set in the 1920s and revolves around the life of a weaver who finds himself in the middle of communist movement in the state.

The Malayalam director is also pleased about the fact that he beat off competition from none other than film legend Adoor Gopalakrishnan, also from Kerala, who won his seventh National Award, the Best Director nod for his film Naalu Penungal.

"Adoor is a legend and the fact that I will receive an award in the same ceremony itself is a thrilling thing. And to top it off I also beat him as a competitor, What could be better," says Priyadarshan who said that the awards came as a surprise.

"I was not surprised by Prakash's win, because he was superb in his role, but mine came as a bit of a surprise. I make films to make people laugh and this was a completely different film and I had my doubts whether it will pay off," said the director during a television interview.

Priyadarshan who was born in Thiruvanathapuram is a close friend of Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal who was a junior of his at college and both entered the film industry at the same time.

Their partnership has produced many cult films including, Chitram and Kilukkam.