- The psychological thriller, with its chilling exploration of black magic and manipulation, walked away with two of the evening’s most coveted honors: Best Gujarati Film and Best Supporting Actress for Janki Bodiwala
- This recognition proves that when the story is strong, neither language nor regional barriers stand in the way. I dedicate this award to my team and to the audiences who believed in us: Director Krishnadev Yagnik
- Released in 2023, Vash captivated audiences with its tense screenplay, haunting cinematography, and stellar performances by Janki Bodiwala, Hitu Kanodia, and Hiten Kumar
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
When the curtains rose at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi for the 71st National Film Awards, all eyes were on Gujarati cinema’s dark horse of 2023 — Vash. The psychological thriller, with its chilling exploration of black magic and manipulation, walked away with two of the evening’s most coveted honors: Best Gujarati Film and Best Supporting Actress for Janki Bodiwala.
They remind us that Gujarati cinema is evolving, and we’re honored to be part of that journey: Producers
For the film’s producers, the recognition was nothing short of surreal. “This is an immensely proud moment for us,” said producers Krunal Soni, Kalpesh Soni, Nilay Chotai, and Dipen Patel in unison, their joy unmistakable. “When we began making Vash, we never imagined it would be celebrated on a national platform. These awards belong as much to our audiences as they do to our team. They remind us that Gujarati cinema is evolving, and we’re honored to be part of that journey,” they added.
At the heart of Vash was a daring creative gamble — bringing psychological horror, a genre still relatively unexplored in Gujarati films, into the mainstream.
It is a matter of pride for Gujarati cinema: Director Krishnadev Yagnik
Director Krishnadev Yagnik reflected on the leap of faith: “It is a matter of pride for us that we could authentically present a genre like psychological horror in Gujarati cinema. This recognition proves that when the story is strong, neither language nor regional barriers stand in the way. I dedicate this award to my team and to the audiences who believed in us.”:
This award is a milestone in my career, one I will cherish forever: Janki Bodiwala
But it was actress Janki Bodiwala, with her raw, unflinching portrayal of Arya — a woman trapped in fear and manipulation — who gave the film its emotional heartbeat. Standing on stage as she received the Best Supporting Actress award from President Droupadi Murmu, Bodiwala’s voice trembled with gratitude:
“There can be no greater joy than receiving this honor from the President of India. I am deeply grateful to the entire Vash team, and especially to Krishnadev Sir, for trusting me with this role. This award is a milestone in my career, one I will cherish forever.”
Released in 2023, Vash captivated audiences with its tense screenplay, haunting cinematography, and stellar performances by Janki Bodiwala, Hitu Kanodia, and Hiten Kumar. Its portrayal of a man using hypnosis to control a young woman struck a nerve, blending regional storytelling with universal themes of fear and power.
For Gujarati cinema, Vash is more than just a film with two national awards — it is a statement. It signals a bold new chapter, where content-driven stories can rise above linguistic boundaries and find their place on the national stage.
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