From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 12: Karnataka’s coveted and highest film award named after Kannada matinee idol Dr Raj Kumar will be conferred on noted Kannada film-maker Basant Kumar Patil for his contribution to the all-round development of Kannada cinema and his lifetime achievements in the film world.

Tulu film, Brahma Shree Narayana Guruswamy, produced by Rajashekar Kotian and directed by Shekar Kotian has won the prize for the category of special social concern with both getting cash prize of Rs 75,000 and 100 gms of silver medal.

Basant Kumar Patil

Dr Baraguru Ramachandrappa has been chosen for the Puttanna Kanagal award instituted to recognise the stellar contribution to Kannada cinema by film directors while the Dr Vishnuvardhan Award for lifetime achievements by veteran personalities who have worked in different fields of Kannada cinema will be conferred on Suresh Urs.

Karnataka’s Information and Haj Minister Roshan Baig, who accepted the recommendations for the State’s annual film awards during the calendar year of 2014 by a high-level committee headed by celebrated film director K Shivarudraiah, said the three top life-time awardees will be presented with a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each and a 50 gms gold medal.

Harivu has been adjudged as the best feature film produced by Avinash U Shetty (KCN Gowda award) and directed by S Manjunath (HLN Simha award) carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each and 50 gms gold medal, while Abhimanyu, produced and directed by Arjun Sarja, will get the second prize carrying Rs 75,000 cash prize and 100 gms silver medal, and the third prize goes to Haggada Kone, producers Dayal Padmanabhan and Umesh Banakar, and Director Dayal Padmanabhan, has won the third prize carrying Rs 50,000 cash and 100 gms silver medal.

Speaking to reporters later, Jury Committee Chairman Shivarundraiah said as many as 73 entries of films, including 46 from debut directors, produced during the year 2014 were received and the jury panel watched all films for a month and half from December 28 and shortlisted 15. The shortlisted films were viewed a second time, which was a step taken for the first time, and the decision of the selection panel were unanimous.

The details of the other award-winners are:

Best Popular Entertainment Film: Gajakesari (producer Jayanna and Bhogendra – Narasimharaju award; direction Krishna)

Best Children’s Film: Banadai (producer M Nagaraju; direction Nagaraja Kote)
Best Film by Debut Director: UlidavaruKandanthe (producer Hemant; direction Rakshith Shetty)
Best Regional Language Film (Tulu, Kodava, Konkani, Banjara, Beary): Vishada Male (producer Ms Atmashree; direction Ambalike Ravi)

(All the above categories will get cash prize of Rs 50,000 each and 100 gms silver medal)

The following categories of film artistes and technicians with names and films mentioned against each will get cash prize of Rs 20,000 each and 100 gms silver medal:

Best Actor (Subbaiah Naidu award) – Sanhari Vijay – Naanu Avanalla Avalu
Best Female Actor – Laxmi Gopalaswamy – Vidaaya
Best Supporting Actor (KS Ashwat award) – Arun Devasya – Nayakanahatti Sri Thipperudraswamy Mahatme
Best Female Supporting Actor – Dr B Jayashree – Kaudi
Best Story – Living Smile Vidya – Naanu Avanalla Avalu
Best Screenplay – P Sheshadri – Vidaaya
Best Dialogue – B L Venu – Tippajji Circle
Best Photography – Satya Hegde – Raate
Best Music Direction – B AjaneeshLokanath – Ulidavaru Kandanthe
Best Editing – Srikant – Ugram
Best Child Artiste – Snehit – Sachin Tendulkar Alla
Best Female Child Artiste – Lahari – AataPata
Best Art Direction – Chandrakanth – 143
Best Lyrics – Hulikunte Murthy – Kaudi
Best Playback Singer – Chintan– Gajakesari
Best Female Playback Singer – Vidya Mohan – Sachin Tendulkar Alla
Special Jury Award – Jyothiraj (Stunt) – Jyothi Alias Kotiraj.