Film awards: Amaravathi, Kirik Party steal the show

Kannada blockbusters ‘Kirik Party’, ‘Rama Rama Re’ and the critically acclaimed ‘Amaravathi’ bagged the 2016 annual Karnataka state film awards on Monday.

A total of 27 film awards in various categories were given away. While the best actress award went to Shruthi Hariharan for her performance in ‘Beautiful Manasugalu’, the best actor award was given to ‘Amaravathi’ lead actor Achyuth Kumar.

Singer Vijay Prakash, artist Shashidhar Adapa and actress Akshata Pandavapura are among the other winners. Along with them, lifetime achievement awards were given to senior actress Advani Lakshmi Devi (Dr Rajkumar Award), director K V Raju (Puttanna Kanagal Award) and artist K Chinnappa (Dr Vishnuvardhan Award). The prize carried Rs 20 lakh cash along with a gold medal.

Actor Achyuth Kumar who essayed a role of a pourakarmika in ‘Amaravathi’ said that it is indeed an honour to receive the award on the birthday of late actor Dr Rajkumar.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was present at the awards ceremony, congratulated the winners and added that next year onwards, the birth anniversary of Dr Rajkumar will be observed by the government.

He advised film directors to recognise budding talents and make quality films with social messages. He also said that in a day or two, the order pertaining to  fixing a ceiling for ticket prices and screening of at least two shows of Kannada movies a day in multiplexes, will be issued. He appealed to people to watch Kannada movies first and encourage the artists instead of watching Hindi movies.