Overview
- He received his first Best Actor National Award in September for Atlee's Jawan.
- The 2023 Best Actor honour was shared with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail.
- He told fans he felt disappointed 10–15 years ago when awards eluded him, but now views fan love as the truest validation.
- He thanked the jury, noting filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker served on it, and joked that Gowariker may have felt he deserved one for Swades.
- He said the win helps blur the line between artistic and commercial cinema and added that he hopes to collect more National Awards.