State annual awards: Tallana is adjudged best film

Karnataka government announces names of winners for 2012

Karnataka Bangalore:25/08/2014: Film Still- Thallana

Karnataka’s annual film award selection is often dogged by controversies. However, the ones announced on Monday (for 2012) appear to be controversy-free.

K.C.N. Chandrashekar, who headed the committee that watched 58 films and shortlisted 28, said, “The selection was unanimous. There were no differences among the members.” Film personality M. Bhaktavatsala, noted film maker Chi. Dattaraj and actor Rajesh have been chosen for the Dr. Rajkumar, Puttanna Kanagal and Dr. Vishnuvardhan awards, respectively, for their contribution to the celluloid world.

Mr. Chi. Dattaraj has made

Kamana Billu ,

Ade Kannu and

Keralida Simha starring Dr. Rajkumar. Rajesh appeared as the lead in the late 60s and early 70s before shifting to character roles.

Tallana, which delineates the plight of missing girls, has been adjudged as the best film. It was directed by N. Sudarshan. Nirmala Chennappa, who is the female lead of the film, got the best actor award for her performance. In fact, it is her debut in a feature film. It is followed by P. Sheshadri’s

Bharat Stores , which speaks about the impact of Foreign Direct Investment in the retail sector. The third place went to

Edegarike

, directed by Suman Kittur, which captures the dilemma of a killer. Rakesh, who held the camera for

Edegarike , got the best cinematographer award.

Significantly,

Tallana and Edegarike had been screened and bagged awards at the sixth edition of Bangalore International Film Festival.

Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna , said to be most expensive film in the history of Kannada cinema, has been selected as the best entertainment film. The film is about Rayanna, the trusted lieutenant of Kittur Rani Channamma, who fought against the British three decades before the First War of Independence in 1857. Popular actor Darshan, who essayed the role of Rayanna, got the best actor award. Action director Ravivarma got the jury’s special award for the war sequences.

Konchavaram , a film in Bajara language, which deals with child trafficking, got the best regional film award.

Baragur Ramachandrappa rejected the Best Story award for Angulimala . The story of the film, he said, was based on history. It is ‘not morally right’ to claim authorship. He had taken material from many sources and reconstructed it, he explained.

I did not expect the award. I believe that Tallana will be appreciated. It is recognition for my decade-old service to the visual media — Nirmala Chennappa I was apprehensive initially, as adapting a complex literary work to celluloid is not an easy task. I was expecting an award for the film’s main lead Aditya too — Suman Kittur It is recognition for my service to Kannada film industry. The award increases my responsibility — Chi. Dattaraj Award is unexpected. Never did I dream of getting an award for my debut film — Santhosh (Santu), director, Alemari

It is an important moment in my life, as it is my first State award — Arjun Janya, composer