Yesteryear star Harini, noted film maker Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, music director Rajan (of Rajan-Nagendra fame) have been chosen for the prestigious Dr. Rajkumar, Puttanna Kanagal and Dr. Vishnuvardhan Karnataka State Film Awards for 2015, respectively.
An expert committee headed by film maker Bhagavan recommended names of these three noted film personalities for this award.
Though all the other awards were announced in May, in the light of criticism in recent years over selection of awards for these three awards, the government constituted experts committee to select personalities on the lines of selection committee for Dada Saheb Phalke awards. All the three awards carry Rs.2 lakh cash and gold medal (50gm).
Harini played heroine, vamp, and comedienne with aplomb. She has acted in over 29 Kannada films from 1951 to 1970. Though she acted as child artist in few films, Harini made her debut as leading lady in Jaganmohini, when she was just 14. She created sensation of sort in the beginning of 50s by wearing a swimsuit. Harini has acted in films including Dallali, Vichitra Prapancha, Naandi, Nanda Deepa, Kanya Dana, Gandharva Kanya among other films. She has acted opposite to Dr. Rajkumar in more than 10 films.
Nagathihalli Chandrashekar has directed over 19 films including his recent release Istakaamya. He made his film debut as screen writer for Kadina Benki in 1986. He made debut as director through Undu Hoda Kondu Hoda in 1991. His Kotreshi Kanasu, America America and Hoomale got National Awards.
Rajan, along with his brother Nagendra, created a niche for themselves in the history of Kannada cinema music. Their combination was a craze from 50s to 90s. The duo scored music for 375 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Tulu, Hindi and Sinhala.
