I had not anticipated winning my third National Award: Neeta Lulla

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) Bollywood fashion designer Neeta Lulla is surprised but pleasantly so after winning her third National Award for best costume designer in 'Jodha Akbar' as she had not anticipated this at all.

'I am very surprised and at the same time very excited as well because I had not anticipated to get an award this time. I am flooded with congratulatory messages, ever since my friends and fans have got this news,' Lulla told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The designer bagged the award for Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Jodha Akbar' at the 56th National Awards announced here Saturday.

Lulla, who has designed for movies like 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Taal', 'Raincoat' among others has previously been honoured with this award in 1992 for 'Lamhe' and for 'Devdas' in 2003.

'When you work on a movie, you don't anticipate that you will win an award or something. It just happens. I give my 100 percent in every one, it's just that not every film is as big as an epic like 'Jodha Akbar',' explained Lulla.

'Jodha Akbar' had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan in the lead roles and in grand costumes.