<p>The film `Anthu’, in Gowd Saraswath Brahmin (GSB) Konkani dialect, swept most of the awards including ‘best film’ at the first Hyssna Global Konkani Cine Awards organised at Kalaangann.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Karopady Akshay Nayak who directed the film Anthu won ‘best director’. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Sujay Shanubhag who played the lead role was awarded best actor (male) and another actor (female) Poornima Suresh was presented with best-supporting actor award. Ester Noronha who played the lead female role in the film ‘Sophiya...A Dream Girl’; won the best actor (female) award.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ester Noronha told <span class="italic">DH</span>, after receiving the award, that she had been a part of the Konkani industry from the age of eight.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“I have been on the stage as a Konkani singer, with well-known music composers. I have an emotional connection with this award because Konkani is my mother-tongue. I dedicate this award to my mother, who produced the film and has always been my guiding lamp,” she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sujay Shanubhag who won the best actor award said the recognition was a huge motivation to work harder in his next project. “I urge both Konkani and non-Konkani speakers to watch Konkani movies and support the Konkani film industry,” he added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Multilingual actor Prakash Rai hailed Konkani speaking communities as ambassadors who save and nurture Konkani culture. “Whether it is a big or a small film, the effort is the same,” he said after presenting the awards to the winners at Kalaangann.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozerio and President Louis J Pinto honoured Prakash Rai, Ronald Pinto of Hyssna International, Nelson Rodricks (Dubai) and Dixon D’Souza of Dubois Production. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Ronald Pinto said cinema was a high investment industry and urged Konkanis to support Konkani cinema.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Goan nightingale-Lorna sang songs by Chris Perry. Naach Sobhann dance crew entertained the audience with their performance.</p>.<p>Awards presented in eight categories</p>.<p>* Best Film: Anthu</p>.<p>* Best Director: Karopady Akshay Nayak (Anthu)</p>.<p>* Best Actor (Male): Sujay Shanubhag (Anthu)</p>.<p>* Best Actor (Female): Ester Noronha (Sophiya...A Dream Girl) </p>.<p>* Best supporting actor (Male): Ron Rodrigues (Ek Aslyar Ek Na)</p>.<p>* Best supporting actor (female): Poornima Suresh (Anthu)</p>.<p>* Best script: Harry Fernandes (Sophiya...A Dream Girl)</p>.<p>* Best Music: Christ Silva/Joel Fernandes/Tyron Noronha (Connection)</p>.<p>* Short film category Amche Ghor.</p>
<p>The film `Anthu’, in Gowd Saraswath Brahmin (GSB) Konkani dialect, swept most of the awards including ‘best film’ at the first Hyssna Global Konkani Cine Awards organised at Kalaangann.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Karopady Akshay Nayak who directed the film Anthu won ‘best director’. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Sujay Shanubhag who played the lead role was awarded best actor (male) and another actor (female) Poornima Suresh was presented with best-supporting actor award. Ester Noronha who played the lead female role in the film ‘Sophiya...A Dream Girl’; won the best actor (female) award.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ester Noronha told <span class="italic">DH</span>, after receiving the award, that she had been a part of the Konkani industry from the age of eight.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“I have been on the stage as a Konkani singer, with well-known music composers. I have an emotional connection with this award because Konkani is my mother-tongue. I dedicate this award to my mother, who produced the film and has always been my guiding lamp,” she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sujay Shanubhag who won the best actor award said the recognition was a huge motivation to work harder in his next project. “I urge both Konkani and non-Konkani speakers to watch Konkani movies and support the Konkani film industry,” he added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Multilingual actor Prakash Rai hailed Konkani speaking communities as ambassadors who save and nurture Konkani culture. “Whether it is a big or a small film, the effort is the same,” he said after presenting the awards to the winners at Kalaangann.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozerio and President Louis J Pinto honoured Prakash Rai, Ronald Pinto of Hyssna International, Nelson Rodricks (Dubai) and Dixon D’Souza of Dubois Production. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Ronald Pinto said cinema was a high investment industry and urged Konkanis to support Konkani cinema.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Goan nightingale-Lorna sang songs by Chris Perry. Naach Sobhann dance crew entertained the audience with their performance.</p>.<p>Awards presented in eight categories</p>.<p>* Best Film: Anthu</p>.<p>* Best Director: Karopady Akshay Nayak (Anthu)</p>.<p>* Best Actor (Male): Sujay Shanubhag (Anthu)</p>.<p>* Best Actor (Female): Ester Noronha (Sophiya...A Dream Girl) </p>.<p>* Best supporting actor (Male): Ron Rodrigues (Ek Aslyar Ek Na)</p>.<p>* Best supporting actor (female): Poornima Suresh (Anthu)</p>.<p>* Best script: Harry Fernandes (Sophiya...A Dream Girl)</p>.<p>* Best Music: Christ Silva/Joel Fernandes/Tyron Noronha (Connection)</p>.<p>* Short film category Amche Ghor.</p>
