Divya Dutta didn't mind receiving National Award from Smriti Irani
What's the story
Divya Dutta received her first National Award at the recently held 65th ceremony. The actress bagged the 'Best Supporting Actress' trophy for her performance in 'Irada'.
She was among the recipients who were not conferred by President Ram Nath Kovind.
However, that did not lessen the value of the honor for Divya.
Here's what she said.
Details
"It doesn't take anything away from me"
Speaking to a leading publication, Divya shared her viewpoint on the brouhaha.
"I will be honest, everyone would love to get it from the President, but at the end of the day, it is 'the' National award and not getting it from the President doesn't lessen what I have in my hand. It doesn't take anything away from me," she said.
Backstory
Around 50 winners had skipped the ceremony
Agitated after knowing that the President will only give away 11 out of 70 awards, as many as 50 winners decided to skip the ceremony.
The rest of the trophies were handed out by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani and her junior Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
To express their disappointment, the winners wrote a letter to the I&B Ministry and President.
Information
Boney Kapoor also shared Divya's opinion
Boney Kapoor, who collected his late wife Sridevi's National Award from the President, was also of the viewpoint that it is the recognition of your work that counts. "I would have been equally happy if the I&B Minister had given me the award," he said.