Happy with IFF Melbourne honour for ‘Kapoor & Sons’: Batra

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Shakun Batra is happy that hislast release "Kapoor & Sons", starring Fawad Khan, SidharthMalhotra and Alia Bhatt, won the best film honour at IndianFilm Festival Melbourne, 2016. The 33-year-old filmmaker says the cast of the film isdelighted with the praise. "I am really happy, the whole cast and crew at Dharma(Productions) is really happy. We went out there to just makethe movie. It wasn’t about big box office and awards. But, allof us are really happy that the belief we showed in the projectis getting us a lot in return," Batra told PTI. The director says he had a great time in Melbourne and theaward was a cherry on the cake. "It was wonderful to be in Melbourne, being with peoplewho love films. For me, the fun part is making the film andworking with people I like. When people, who have worked withme, feel they have done something good for me that is thevalidation. "The next is when audience accepts the efforts andconnects with the film. Awards are a cherry on top. It alwaysmake your success better. I, Fawad and Rishi (Kapoor) sirtraveled together and Melbourne is a great city. For me, thatwas more exciting than the award," he said. The "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" director also interacted with thefilm students from the university. Batra said he could connect with the students as he hashimself been through that phase during his days in Vancouver. "The experience of interacting with university studentswas amazing. I have been a film student myself, I studied inVancouver. I was more excited than the students as I wanted toknow what they are watching now? Who are the directors they areexcited about? "It was great to exchange ideas with whole bunch of peoplepassionate about films," he said. Bollywood actors Sonam Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui wonthe best actress and best actor awards at the film festival. Leena Yadav’s "Parched" also received the best indie filmaward. While Fawad was given a special diversity award, Rishi washonoured with the lifetime achievement award for excellence incinema. PTI SHDBK