The selection committee that chose film awards for 2014, announced on Friday, seems to have tried to strike a balance between mainstream and independent film makers.
Mainstream films like Gaja Kesari and Abhimanyu have made it to the awards list, just as independent films like Harivu and Naanu Avanalla Avalu too have.
“Of the 73 films watched in 45 days, we shortlisted 12 and re-watched them in the second round,” said K. Shivarudraiah, chairperson, Film Selection Committee.
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Basant Kumar Patil, who won the Dr. Rajkumar Award, has bagged a national award for all the seven films produced by him in recent years. His award winning spree commenced from Gulabi Talikies, produced by Girish Kasaravalli. Besides, Mr. Patil has acted in hundreds of films and headed the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.
Suresh Urs, recipient of Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award, has edited over 500 films and 50 documentaries. Besides Kannada directors, Mr. Urs has worked with directors such as Mani Ratnam. He was awarded the National Film Award for Best Editing for
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The Puttanna Kanagal Award this time has gone to Baragur Ramachandrappa, who has made a name for himself in the literary world. He has produced over 17 films and bagged 10 awards.
Harivu , chosen as the best film, is the debut movie by visual artist-turned director Manjunatha Somashekara Reddy (Mansore). Abhimanyu directed by Arjun Sarja, which deals with crass commercialisation of education, has been adjudged as the second best film. Haggada Kone, directed by Dayal Padmanabhan, got the third best film.
Actor Sanchari Vijay, who also secured the national award as best actor for his brilliant performance in Naanu Avanalla Avalu, directed by B.S. Lingadevaru, got the best actor award for the same film at the State level. In what is being described as the first complete film on transgenders in Kannada, Sanchari Vijay essays the role of Madesha, who later transforms as Vidya. The film, which was screened at the 8th BIFFes got second prize in the Kannada competition section.
Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, actor and classical dancer, secured best female actor award for her performance in Vidaaya directed by P. Sheshadri. The film is set against the backdrop of the issue of passive euthanasia.
Most discussed film
Ulidavaru Kandante, the most discussed film last year, directed by Rakshit Shetty, got the best debut film of a director award. Mr. Shetty -actually managed to deliver a good instance of the Rashomon effect (a film directed by Akira Kurosawa).Besides these films , Brahmashree Narayana Gurusway by Shekar Kotyan (Special Social Concern film), Gajakesari starring Yash directed by Krishna (Best popular entertainment film), Banadi directed by Nagaraja Kote (Best Children Film) and Vishada Male by Atmashree (Best Karnataka Regional Language Award film) have bagged various awards for the year 2014.