Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AM)
Mangaluru, Oct 26: Harish Sherigar’s Kannada film ‘March 22’ and Janet Noronha’s Konkani film ‘Sophiya’ have won the honours of ‘Second Best Film’ and ‘Best Regional Film’ respectively at the State Film Awards for the year 2017. Also, Tulu film 'Paddayi' by Abhaya Simha has been adjudged as the ‘Third Best Film’.
A panel led by Kannada film director and producer N S Shankar made the recommendations to chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday, October 25.
‘March 22’, which is based on water crisis, is produced by well-known Dubai-based entrepreneur Harish Sherigar and his wife Sharmila Sherigar under the banner ACME Movies International, and directed by Koodlu Ramakrishna. The pair of veteran actors Ananth Nag and Geetha was seen in the film. The film also starred Bollywood actor Ashish Vidyarthi and businessman Padma Shree Dr B R Shetty.
'Sophiya' is produced under the banner Janet Noronha Productions by Coastalwood's first female film producer Janet Noronha, and is directed by ‘Noshibacho Khell’ fame Harry Fernandes. The film had emerged as the biggest Konkani opener at the box office. In fact, the movie went on to collect a massive collection on its opening week to become the first ever Konkani film to do so. The film starred choreographer turned actor Elton Mascarenhas along with Ester Noronha.
Tulu film 'Paddayi' by Abhaya Simha is a multi-award winner film already. The film bagged National Award (2018) for Best Tulu film a few months ago. It was screened at the maiden edition of the Pondicherry International Film Festival (PIFF), and also at the New York Indian Film Festival 2018. Produced by Nityananda Pai and directed by award-winning director Abhaya Simha, the film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.