‘Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke’ Wins National Award for Best Screenplay; Writer-Director Yogesh Deshpande Calls It the Greatest Honor of His Life
Pune, 19th July 2026: Writer-director Yogesh Deshpande has expressed immense joy and gratitude after ‘Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke’ won the Best Screenplay award at the 72nd National Film Awards, describing the recognition as the greatest honor of his life.
Reacting to the announcement, Deshpande said the award was the culmination of four years of dedicated research, study, patience, and sincere hard work. He said the recognition among numerous acclaimed films from across the country was a matter of immense pride.
Deshpande revealed that while writing the screenplay, he made repeated visits to meet members of the Phadke family, listened to their memories, and extensively studied available literature, historical references, and Sudhir Phadke’s music. He said his objective was not merely to document the legendary singer-composer’s life but to portray it on screen with emotional depth and authenticity.
He added that one of the biggest challenges was ensuring the film evolved beyond a conventional biopic into a cinematic experience that would leave a lasting impact on audiences. According to Deshpande, meticulous attention was paid to every aspect of the film, including character development, screenplay structure, dialogues, music, casting, drama, and visual design.
Deshpande said writing and directing Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke was the biggest responsibility of his career and remained his highest priority throughout the project.
He noted that his filmmaking has always aimed to offer audiences honest, high-quality cinema that goes beyond conventional television storytelling. Besides chronicling the well-known milestones of Sudhir Phadke’s life, the screenplay sought to capture the emotional world of the legendary musician, the depth of his struggles, and the sensitivity of the man behind the music.
Deshpande dedicated the National Award to his parents, family, the film’s cast and crew, producers, the Phadke family, and every viewer who appreciated Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke.
Calling the National Award more than just an honour, he said it represents a responsibility and a mark of trust that motivates him to continue creating meaningful cinema. He added that he would strive to tell stories rooted in Indian culture, history, and society through films that are deeply researched, emotionally engaging, and of global standards.
