Alia Bhatt thanks Sanjay Leela Bhansali, family and audience after National Film Award Win

Alia Bhatt was awarded best actress for the film Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) at the 69th National Film Awards. Bhatt shared the award with Kriti Sanon who won for her performance in Mimi (2021).

Bhatt shared a social media post expressing gratitude and thanking director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, her family, her team and the audiences who appreciated the film. She shared two pictures; the first in which she is seen posing like her character, and another where she is all smiles for the camera. Bhatt also chose a white outfit for the pictures, as a hat tip to Gangubai’s white saris from the film. 

Bhatt wrote in her post, "To Sanjay Sir..To the entire crew..To my family..To my team & last but most definitely not the least.. To my audience..This national award is yours .. because without you ALL none of this would be possible.. seriously!!! I am SO grateful.. I do not take moments like these lightly.. I hope to continue to entertain for as long as I can..Love and light.. Gangu (also known as Alia)"

Bhatt also congratulated Sanon and wrote, “P.S - Kriti .. I remember messaging you the day I saw Mimi .. it was such an honest and powerful performance... I cried and cried.. so so well deserved.. shine on you star... the world is your oyster."

Gangubai Kathiawadi is based on the story of Ganga Harjeevandas from the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi. Bhatt’s character Ganga is sold into prostitution by her suitor. But with determination and courage, she rises to become Gangubai, the leader of all the sex workers in Kamathipura and fights for their legal and human rights.