Anurag has been my mentor, says Neeraj Ghaywan

Director Neeraj Ghaywan, who got a National Film Award for his first directorial "Masaan", says he owes all his success to his mentor and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

Ghaywan, who worked as an assistant to Kashyap for some of his films, expressed his gratitude to the filmmaker while talking to reporters before he attended the 63rd National Film Awards ceremony on Tuesday here.

He said: "Anurag has always been my mentor. Right now I standing here (at the red carpet to receive National Film Award) for him."

Ghaywan has been named for Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director award for "Masaan", which found critical acclaim nationally and internationally.

The movie follows the stories of four people from a small town -- Varanasi -- and how they fit into the moralities, and how pre-set notions of society change their life.

Produced by Drishyam Films, Phantom Films, Macassar Productions and Sikhya Entertainment, "Masaan" also touches upon issues like caste stereotypes and premarital sex.

The film bagged two awards at the prestigious 68th Cannes International Film Festival. "Masaan" stars Sanjay Mishra, Vicky Kaushal, Richa Chadda, Pankaj Tripathi, Nikhil Sahni and Satya Kam among others.

Talking about the film, Ghaywan said: "We wanted to show right representation of the small town...and the first image that came to my mind before I conceived the film was of a 'shamshan' -- where someone puts body of their beloved to fire."