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Khushbu Sundar Questions National Film Awards Selection Process Amid Raayan Debate
When veteran actress‑turned‑politician Khushbu Sundar stepped into a dimly lit studio for a Behindwoods interview on August 5, 2026, she didn’t just talk about her latest film project; she challenged a decade‑old institution that has long been the gold standard for Indian cinema. Her questions hit a nerve already stoked by the recent announcement that Dhanush’s Raayan had captured the Best Tamil Film prize at the 72nd National Film Awards, a decision that left many fans and industry insiders scrambling to point out other deserving contenders.
Khushbu said she has long wondered about the very mechanics that determine which films are honored. "Under what criteria are the National Awards being conferred? Under what criteria is a selection committee or jury constituted?" she asked. "I’m not singling out any one movie or director; I’m questioning the process itself." She added that her concerns were about the process rather than any particular film or filmmaker.
She went on to highlight a pattern she sees across languages. "If the Best Film award goes to a Tamil picture, could there be an Odia film that deserves it even more? Why didn’t the Odia film win instead? When a Gujarati film shines, why is it never considered for the Wholesome Entertainment award? Why does the spotlight seem to favor Hindi films over regional ones?" she said.
The actress also raised the possibility that jury members might be swayed by box‑office numbers or the pulse of public opinion. "Sometimes I think these jury members get carried away with a wave or the common mentality of what film was the biggest of the year," she said, adding that she sees no gray area in the committee’s decision‑making.
The comments arrived at a time when Raayan—released on July 26, 2024—was already at the center of a heated debate. While the film secured the Best Tamil Feature Film honor at the awards announced in July 2026, several other Tamil releases, including Meiyazhagan, Amaran, and Maharaja, were cited by fans and critics as stronger contenders.
Defenders of the decision rallied from within Tamil cinema. Choreographer Kala, who served on the National Awards jury, lauded Dhanush’s direction and his portrayal of Captain Miller. Composer D Imman echoed the sentiment, calling the win a "victory for Tamil people" and urging audiences to celebrate regardless of personal preference. Dhanush himself addressed the criticism, noting that his earlier films—Pudhupettai, Vada Chennai, Karnan, Maryan, and Raanjhanaa—had also been overlooked despite critical acclaim.
The National Film Awards, instituted in 1954 and overseen by the Directorate of Film Festivals, are presented by the President of India in New Delhi. Each year a government‑appointed panel selects winners across a spectrum of categories, including Best Feature Film and language‑specific honors. Khushbu’s remarks spotlight a broader conversation about the representation of regional cinema at a national level. While the awards aim to celebrate linguistic diversity, the lack of transparency in jury selection and evaluation criteria continues to spark debate. As the 72nd edition’s winners—Raayan for Best Tamil Film, Kalki 2898 AD for Best Popular Film, and Captain Miller for Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values—were announced, the industry remains divided. The controversy underscores the need for an ongoing dialogue about how regional films are assessed and celebrated on a national stage, a conversation that Khushbu has now joined by questioning the very foundations of the selection process. Industry analysts say that a clearer, publicly documented set of criteria could help restore confidence, while some call for a more diverse jury to reflect the country’s cinematic plurality.
Khushbu said she has long wondered about the very mechanics that determine which films are honored. "Under what criteria are the National Awards being conferred? Under what criteria is a selection committee or jury constituted?" she asked. "I’m not singling out any one movie or director; I’m questioning the process itself." She added that her concerns were about the process rather than any particular film or filmmaker.
She went on to highlight a pattern she sees across languages. "If the Best Film award goes to a Tamil picture, could there be an Odia film that deserves it even more? Why didn’t the Odia film win instead? When a Gujarati film shines, why is it never considered for the Wholesome Entertainment award? Why does the spotlight seem to favor Hindi films over regional ones?" she said.
The actress also raised the possibility that jury members might be swayed by box‑office numbers or the pulse of public opinion. "Sometimes I think these jury members get carried away with a wave or the common mentality of what film was the biggest of the year," she said, adding that she sees no gray area in the committee’s decision‑making.
The comments arrived at a time when Raayan—released on July 26, 2024—was already at the center of a heated debate. While the film secured the Best Tamil Feature Film honor at the awards announced in July 2026, several other Tamil releases, including Meiyazhagan, Amaran, and Maharaja, were cited by fans and critics as stronger contenders.
Defenders of the decision rallied from within Tamil cinema. Choreographer Kala, who served on the National Awards jury, lauded Dhanush’s direction and his portrayal of Captain Miller. Composer D Imman echoed the sentiment, calling the win a "victory for Tamil people" and urging audiences to celebrate regardless of personal preference. Dhanush himself addressed the criticism, noting that his earlier films—Pudhupettai, Vada Chennai, Karnan, Maryan, and Raanjhanaa—had also been overlooked despite critical acclaim.
The National Film Awards, instituted in 1954 and overseen by the Directorate of Film Festivals, are presented by the President of India in New Delhi. Each year a government‑appointed panel selects winners across a spectrum of categories, including Best Feature Film and language‑specific honors. Khushbu’s remarks spotlight a broader conversation about the representation of regional cinema at a national level. While the awards aim to celebrate linguistic diversity, the lack of transparency in jury selection and evaluation criteria continues to spark debate. As the 72nd edition’s winners—Raayan for Best Tamil Film, Kalki 2898 AD for Best Popular Film, and Captain Miller for Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values—were announced, the industry remains divided. The controversy underscores the need for an ongoing dialogue about how regional films are assessed and celebrated on a national stage, a conversation that Khushbu has now joined by questioning the very foundations of the selection process. Industry analysts say that a clearer, publicly documented set of criteria could help restore confidence, while some call for a more diverse jury to reflect the country’s cinematic plurality.
