India, Aug. 15 -- He is in South America, shooting for White, we in India- but everything comes together for the love of the country. Here's presenting Vikrant Massey for our Independence Day special edition, posing for HT City in his first interview after winning the National Award for Best Actor for his 2023 hit 12th Fail.

On his National Award shared with Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan, he tells us, "I was very happy that I got it and that too for 12th Fail. A National Award is the highest form of validation or accolade any actor can get in India. I am happy that I shared it with Mr Shah Rukh Khan, yeh hum dono ka pehla National Award tha. It was a privilege to share it with him."

During school it used to be one of the most special days! I...