In a welcome move for the Kannada film industry, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared on Monday that the State film awards will now be presented annually, ensuring they are conferred within the same year they pertain to. He also gave his assurance that all pending film subsidies would be cleared without further delay.
Speaking at the award ceremony for the 2018 and 2019 State film awards, held at the KSOU Convocation Hall in Mysuru, Mr. Siddaramaiah emphasized an end to the long delays in honoring Kannada cinematic achievements.
“I have already instructed the Department of Information and Public Relations to ensure that awards for each year are presented within that very year. This new system will commence next year, and we will also expedite the presentation of awards for 2020 and 2021 shortly,” he stated.
The Chief Minister highlighted that presenting awards for their respective year enhances their prestige and relevance, a stark contrast to the previous practice of significant delays.
Furthermore, Mr. Siddaramaiah confirmed that actions would soon be taken to settle the film subsidy dues accumulated over the past three years. However, he also issued a call to filmmakers, urging them to prioritize quality cinema. “Don’t just make films for the sake of receiving a subsidy. Create movies that genuinely resonate with audiences and have the potential to bring about positive societal change,” he advised.
He paid tribute to the legendary Dr. Rajkumar, noting that the iconic actor remains cherished for his inspiring roles on screen and his exemplary conduct in real life.
Mr. Siddaramaiah observed the remarkable growth of the Kannada film industry over the years. “In the past, only a handful of films were produced with limited artists. Today, numerous films are made annually, and the pool of talent has expanded significantly,” he remarked.
Sharing a personal anecdote, he confessed, “During my student days, I watched films almost every day. Now, I barely find time. I still haven’t watched Kantara – A Legend Chapter 1, but I plan to do so very soon,” he said with a smile, acknowledging actor and director Rishab Shetty, who was present at the event.
Mysuru to get a Film City
The Chief Minister also confirmed that the long-awaited Film City project in Mysuru is moving forward. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently being finalized and is expected by the end of December. “We have already allocated 160 acres of land in Himmavu village to the Department of Information and Public Relations for the Film City. This ambitious project will be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model,” he announced.
During the ceremony, Mr. Siddaramaiah and other distinguished guests presented awards in various categories for both 2018 and 2019.
The prestigious Dr. Rajkumar award for 2018 was bestowed upon celebrated actor G. K. Srinivasamurthy, while the 2019 honor went to veteran film personality Umashree. The Puttanna Kanagal award recognized acclaimed filmmaker P. Sheshadri for 2018 and N.R. Nanjunde Gowda for 2019. The Dr. Vishnuvardhan award, a lifetime achievement recognition, was presented to B.S. Basavaraju for 2018 and Richard Castelino for 2019. Notably, actor-director Rishab Shetty’s film Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale, Kasaragod received the best popular film award.