For the first time, the 66th National Film Awards competition will have over 40 Kannada films in various categories. This is at least 10 films more than in the last year.

According to sources, Mookajjiya Kanasugalu of P. Sheshadri, Nathicharami of Manjunatha Somakeshava Reddy (Mansore), Kanoorayana of T.S. Nagabharana are among the films in the competition.

Besides these three, Ammachi Yemba Nenapu by Champa Shetty, Aa Karala Rathri of Dayal Padmanabhan, Neeru of Eshwar, Ondalla Eradalla of Satyaprakash, Savithri Bai Phule of Vishal Raj, Vishwamanava of M.S. Muttu Raj, Ramana Savari of K. Shivarudraiah, Attayya V/S Handikayolu of Lokendra, Samanateya Kadege of Anantharayappa are also in the race under various categories.

Popular entertainment films in the race include KGF of Prashanth Neel, Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shale Kasaragodu, Koduge Ramanna Rai by Rishab Shetty and Kurukshetra by Naganna.

Film-makers, whose films are in competition, are happy with the increase in the number of films competing for the National Awards.

“An increase in the number of films competing for National Awards is proportional to the number of films released. In 2018, the number of films released crossed the 240 mark. Over 40 entering the competition is not a surprise for me,” said P. Sheshadri.

Sources in the film industry said that though 240 films were released, as many as 370 films got censored as on December 31, 2018.

“This is a welcome development. If it translates to awards, there is definitely good times ahead for Kannada cinema,” said Mansore.

Last year saw Hebbet Ramakka winning the honours for Best Feature Film. Paddayi, a Tulu film, got the Best Feature Film Award for films made in languages other than those specified in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Muralidhara Khajane / March 11th, 2019