# Randeep Hooda wins National Award for Best Debut Director with Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

Published 2026-09-23 23:35:13

> Randeep Hooda won the Best Debut Director honour at the 72nd National Film Awards for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, and says he received it as an actor, a husband and as Nyomica's father.

Randeep Hooda has won the National Film Award for Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, a film he directed, co-wrote and led as an actor. President Droupadi Murmu gave him the honour at the 72nd National Film Awards, where the biographical drama was recognised as the best first film by a director.

The ceremony reportedly took place on Tuesday in Kevadia, Gujarat, away from its usual home at Vigyan Bhavan. Hooda said this was his first National Award, so he could not compare the two settings. He did add that holding the event at the Statue of Unity carries its own symbolism.

The actor was clear about where his heart lies. He said he is and will always be an actor first, and that while awards for his acting have been rare, audiences have always given him a great deal of love. Winning for his craft on his very first attempt as a director, he said, has encouraged him and given him fresh wings to direct more in future.

Family made the moment more personal. Hooda said he was on that stage not only as Randeep Hooda but also as Nyomica's father, with his own father, Ranbir Hooda, in the audience and his wife Lin by his side. He described the day as fathers and children making each other proud. In a post on Instagram, he dedicated the win to the many people who worked hard to bring the film to life and to the audience that has backed him through what he called a 25 year journey.

Looking back at the making of the film, Hooda said he enjoyed all three roles but found direction the most demanding. Writing felt the most freeing because it has no limits, while acting grew harder because he was carrying the whole story and not just his own character. For him, directing is the most complete art form.

The actor also said the award works as a pat on the back after years of dedication, and that it has pushed him to do much more.

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Source: https://clapnumber.com/news/randeep-hooda-wins-national-award-for-best-debut-director-with-swatantrya-veer-savarkar
Retrieved: 2026-09-24