At the 71st National Film Awards, the movie Baby took home two honors: Best Screenplay for Sai Rajesh and Best Playback Singer for PVNS Rohith. A day after the announcement, the core team shared their thoughts on the film's success.
Several speakers highlighted the power of Sai Rajesh's writing. Heroine Vaishnavi Chaitanya noted that people are still talking about the film even two years after its release. Hero Anand Devarakonda pointed out that Sai Rajesh has now won a second consecutive National Award, following his win for Colour Photo. This recognition, he said, elevates Sai Rajesh's status and will be a part of his identity for all his future films. Producer SKN shared that Sai Rajesh spent several years perfecting the script.
The song Premistunna was a crucial element of the film. Singer PVNS Rohith called it a "do-or-die opportunity," and his performance earned him the award. Sai Rajesh revealed that while he initially wanted the song to be composed last, music director Vijay Bulganin insisted on creating it first. Sai Rajesh felt an immediate connection to Rohith's voice, which helped him shape the film's narrative.
The speakers emphasized the immense effort and passion that went into the making of Baby. Anand and Vaishnavi both stressed that the team's total dedication is why the film continues to be relevant two years later. Anand also recalled that producer SKN called the film a "cult blockbuster" after its premieres, a prediction that has proven true. Producer Dheeraj Mogilineni also shared that despite having produced many films, Baby holds a special place in his career. Sai Rajesh echoed this sentiment, stating that every person on the project "gave their lives to it."
Producer SKN was a recurring name in many speeches. Anand praised SKN's deep belief in the project and his innovative promotional strategy, which he said set a new standard in the industry. Sai Rajesh himself acknowledged that when others didn't have faith in him, SKN did, playing a crucial role in bringing his vision to life. SKN's own speech highlighted the emotional and financial rewards of a good film, proudly mentioning the many awards Baby has won, culminating in the National Award.
Editor Viplav's speech also acknowledged the collective win by congratulating both Sai Rajesh and Rohith. Lyricist Suresh Banishetti, while hoping his own songs would be recognized, celebrated the team's success and even joked that he hopes Sai Rajesh goes on to win an Oscar.
