Karnataka State Awards 2020: Sanchari Vijay presented posthumous Jury Award

Bengaluru: Prithvi Konnanur's Pinki Elli? which discusses harsh urban realities topped the Karnataka State Film Awards for 2020, winning the Best Film Award. The film was screened in multiple film festivals across the globe including Busan International Film Festival. 

The Karnataka government announced the full list of state film awards for the year 2020.  A jury award is conferred to actor Sanchari Vijay posthumously.

Mikka Bannada Hakki from Konanur’s production also won the Best Film in Kannada at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) last week.

Commenting on both wins, Konanur says he solely credits the jury. “The jury has been neutral and that’s how we were able to win both the awards,” he tells DH. “It’s no big secret, manipulation is common in every field and it has been there for years. Despite everything, I believe that the jury stood their ground and I’m thankful to them,” he shares.

Prajwal Devaraj has been awarded the Subbaiah Naidu Award (Best Actor award) for Gentleman and Akshatha Pandavapura, Best Actor (Female) for Pinki Elli?.

Speaking to DH, Akshatha says, “Artistes like us look for content-based films that say something to the society or are a commentary about the society. I have always wanted to be a part of such films. Now apart from the film winning an award, the government has recognised my performance as well. I am extremely happy and grateful. As an actor, I consider this as a recognition of my struggle.”

The Best Debut Film of a Director has been adjudged to Neeli Hakki directed by Ganesh Hegde. It follows a 10-year-old boy's connection with the natural landscape of his village.

“A recognition like this for an indie film means a lot. Although the award has come after a long time, I'm quite overwhelmed,” Ganesh Hegde says.

The film was made in 2020 but has still not seen the light of the day in terms of a public release. “It’s a constant fight. The theatrical and OTT situation right now is not in our favour. We have come to a point where we don’t want any money, we just want to show it to people,” he adds.

Neeli Hakki was screened at such festivals as New York Indian Film Festival, Melbourne Indian FF, Indian Film Festival of South Asia (Toronto) and International Film Festival of India.

Headed by filmmaker B S Lingadevaru, the selection advisory committee included journalist Padma Shivamogga, senior actor Padma Vasanthi, cinema analyst Ivan de Silva, film director Umesh Nayak, production manager D R Sampath, cinematographer Manjunath R and music director Gururaj.

Varnapatala directed by Chethan Mundadi and Babu Eshwar Prasad's Hariva Nadige Maiyella Kaalu (based on an Allama Prabhu Vachana) won the second and third prize in the Best Film category, respectively.

The award for best film on social causes was awarded to Gilyuu Panjaradollilla directed by Ramdas Naidu and Ee Mannu by Shivadhwaj Shetty.

The other awards include — Best Popular Entertainment Film: Four Walls (directed by S S Sajjan), Best Children's Film: Padaka (Aditya R Chiranjeevi), Best Karnataka Regional Language Film: Jeetige (Tulu Language, directed by Santhosh Mada), Best Supporting Actor (Male): Ramesh Pandit (Taledanda), Best Supporting Actor (Female): Manjulamma (Dantapurana), Best Story: Shashikant Gatti (Ranchi), Best Screenplay: Raghavendra Kumar (Chandni Bar), Best Dialogue: Veerappa Maralvadi (Hoovina Haara), Best Cinematography: Ashok Kashyap (Taledanda), Best Music Direction: Gagan Baderia (Malgudi Days), Best Editing: Nagendra K Ujjani (Act 1978), Best Child Actor (Male): Ahil Ansari (Dantapurana), Best Child Actor (Female): Baby Hitaishi Poojar (Paaru), Best Art Direction: Gunasekhar (Bichugatti), Best Lyricist: Gargi Karehaklu (Maunavu matagade from Parjanya) and Sachin Shetty Kumble (Daariyondu hudukutide from Ee Mannu), Best Playback Singer (Male): Anirudh Shastri (Acharya Sri Shankar) and Best Playback Singer (Female): Arundhati Vasishta (Dantapurana).

The awards also include special Jury prizes for Sri Valli (for costume design – Saravajra), Ramesh Babu (production – Taledanda), V G Rajan (Sound recording – Amruth Apartments), Vishwas K S (Special Talent Actor – Arabbie) and Best Production Manager for Champakadhama Babu (Kannadiga).