Namma Sandalwood strikes it rich, gets four National Awards

Director P Sheshadri set a new record as Kannada movies bagged four awards in the 58th National Awards announced in New Delhi on Thursday.

Bettada Jeeva (Man of the Hills), directed by Sheshadri, won the Best Environmental Film award, making him the first-ever director to win six National Awards in the regional film’s category. Bettada Jeeva, based on late Shivaram Karanth’s novel, received the award for spreading awareness on environment.

Sheshadri began his successful run in the world of cinema with his first film Munnudi which won a National Award in 2001. This was followed by National Awards for Atithti (2002), Beru (2004), Thutturi (2007) and Vimukthi (2010).

“I am very happy that I got six National Awards. Team work and the subject I chose has helped me become successful. We are satisfied with what we got, though we expected more awards,” said Sheshadri.
Director B Suresh received his second National Award for his film Puttakkana Highway which got Rajat Kamal an award in the best regional film category. Last year, he got the award for his film Gubbachigalu.

Puttakkana Highway, produced by Shylaja Nag and Prakash Raj, speaks about the persuasive articulation of a topical social issue where in the name of development, land is appropriated and people are displaced as a consequence.

Hejjegalu, directed by P Ramdas Naidu got the Swarna Kamal in the Best Children Film category. Hejjegalu presents a little girl cheerfully taking on challenges to preserve the fabric of her family. It was produced by Basanthkumar Patil.

“I am so happy and I am enjoying it. We made this film to motivate children and it has already got second prize in the Lucknow International film festival, in which more than 300 films were screened. The award has increased the responsibility on my shoulders to contribute to good cinema,” said Naidu.
Manu Chakravarthy got the award in the Best-Film critic category. From Sandalwood, 27 films were considered for the award but only three tasted success. Of the 167 films from various Indian languages, 48 had entered the final round.