Director of Kada Beladingalu, B S Lingadevaru, was made to wait for almost 10 minutes on the dais to receive his award. His film won the special award for its social message.
Director of third best film, Cyanide, A M R Ramesh, entered into a verbal duel with officials of Information Department to get producer of his film, Ms Indumathi, felicitated. He even went to the extent of returning the award.
Awards presented
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa presented awards to winners. Senior actress Lakshmidevi received the Dr Rajkumar award. Actor Ramesh received Puttanna Kanagal award on behalf of Singeetham Srinivas.
Senior actor and director Dwarakish received lifetime achievement award. The best actor award went to Vijay for his role in Duniya. He received the award along with his parents, wife and children. Tara bagged the best actress award for her role in Cyanide.
Mr Kumaraswamy said Kannada film industry is reaching to a larger audience and hoped it will reach number one position in the country.
He said Lakshmidevi had been allotted sites by the BDA.
Mr Yediyurappa said the government is committed to helping the Kannada film industry grow. As much as Rs 3 crore has been earmarked for setting up Rajkumar Memorial.
Dwarakeesh, speaking on behalf of the award winners, appealed to the film industry to unite and strive for its success.

PUBLIC KEPT OUT
Unlike in previous years, the general public were not allowed to witness the awards ceremony. Policemen allowed only guests with invitations inside Jnanajyothi Auditorium at the Central College campus. Hundreds of fans who remained outside expressed their ire against the government for holding the programme in a closed auditorium. In 2006, the programme was organised in open grounds in Ramanagara.