State Film Awards to be presented in the same year from next year: Siddaramaiah

Prime Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday announced that the state film awards will be presented in the same year from next year. He also assured that the hanging f^{ilm subsidy}s will be cleared soon.

Speaking at the state film awards ceremony for 2018 and 2019 at the KSOU Convocation Hall in Mysuru, Mr. Siddaramaiah said there would be no more delays in awarding awards to Kannada films.

“I have already directed the Ministry of Information and Public Relations to ensure that the awards for each year are presented in the same year. This will be implemented from next year. The awards for 2020 and 2021 will also be presented soon,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that the awards would have greater significance if they were presented before the year in question, rather than a few years later.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said steps would be taken soon to clear outstanding subsidy dues for the past three years. He, however, urged filmmakers to focus on quality cinema. “Don’t make films just because of the subsidy. Make films that people want to see; films that can bring about a change in society,” he advised.

The Chief Minister recalled the contribution of Dr. Rajkumar to Kannada cinema and said the matinee idol is still remembered for his inspiring roles on screen and his exemplary behavior in real life.

Mr. Siddaramaiah noted that the Kannada film industry has grown remarkably over the years. “Earlier, only a few films were produced and there were only a limited number of artists. Now, many films are being made every year and the number of artists has also increased,” he said.

Sharing a personal note, he said, “When I was a student, I used to watch movies almost every day. Now I hardly find time to watch them. I still have to watch Kantara – A Legend Chapter 1but I will watch it soon,” he said, smiling at actor and director Rishab Shetty, who was present at the event.

DPR on film city

Mr. Siddaramaiah also announced that the proposed Film City in Mysuru would soon take shape. The detailed project report (DPR) is in preparation and is expected to be ready by the end of December. “We have already handed over 160 hectares of land in Himmavu village to the Ministry of Information and Public Relations for the establishment of the Film City. The project will be developed under the PPP model,” he said.

Mr. Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries presented awards in various categories for the years 2018 and 2019.

The Dr. Rajkumar Award for the year 2018 was awarded to noted actor GK Srinivasamurthy, while the 2019 award went to veteran film personality Umashree. The Puttanna Kanagal Award for 2018 was awarded to acclaimed filmmaker P. Sheshadri, and for 2019 to NR Nanjunde Gowda. The Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award, given for lifetime achievement in the film industry, was bagged by BS Basavaraju in 2018 and by Richard Castelino in 2019. Actor-director Rishab Shetty’s film will be in the popular cinema category Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale, Kasaragod won the award for best popular film.