Governor Vajubhai R. Vala presents awards at valedictory of 9th BIFFes at Mysore Palace

 The 9th edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) came to an end yesterday evening in Mysuru with Governor Vajubhai R. Vala presenting the awards to the most deserving movies in the competition categories at a glittery valedictory event held at the Mysore Palace premises. The valedictory ceremony was organised on a specially-erected stage resembling the musical pillars of Vittala Temple in Hampi.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that every year, three best Kannada movies should identified and awarded Rs. 50 lakh each and added that taxes on movies should be exempted in all languages similar to Kannada. “Movie makers have great responsibility as cinema is a strong medium of communication. Movies should be made in such a way that they send a message to the society,” he added.

The awards were presented to movies in four different categories. ‘A Father’s Mill’ directed by Bakit Mukul of Kyrgyzstan bagged the Best Asian Cinema award.  ‘Harikatha Prasanga’ directed by Ananya Kasaravalli and produced by Basanth Kumar Patil won the Best Indian Cinema Award. Kannada movie ‘Lathe Joshi’ directed by Mangesh Joshi and produced by Pravah Nirmitee got the ‘Special Jury’ award and ‘Special Jury Mention’ was awarded for ‘Kaadu Pookkunna Neram’ directed by Bijukumar Damodaran. ‘Loktak Lairambee’ (Lady of the Lake) directed by Haobam Paban Kumar bagged FIPRECI-India P.K. Nair Memorial Critics Jury Award.

Under the Kannada Cinema category, ‘Rama Rama Re’ directed by D. Satya Prakash and produced by Kannada Kolour Cinemas bagged ‘Best Kannada Cinema’ award. ‘Pallata’ directed S.P. Raghu of Mysuru and produced by Halli Chitra was awarded the second ‘Best Kannada Cinema’ and was followed by ‘Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu’ directed by Hemanth M. Rao and produced by Pushkar Films and Found Films.

‘Uppina Kagada’ directed by B. Suresha won International Jury Prize under Kannada cinema category. In the Popular Kannada Movies categories ‘Kotigobba-2’, ‘Doddmane Hudga’ and ‘Jaggu Dada’ bagged first, second and third prizes respectively.

Soon after the award ceremony, it was time for some entertainment as sandalwood actors shook their legs to some of the popular foot-tapping songs. Actress Sindhu Lokanath, Rishika Singh and Ragini Dwivedi set the stage on fire with their dance moves to songs such as ‘Sesamma Sesamma’, ‘Tara Tara Aniside’ among others.

Prior to this, artistes Nirupama Rajendra and troupe presented a dance ballet titled ‘Silver to Silicon’ which depicted the growth of Kannada Film Industry right from the black and white era to the present day. The troupe danced to the songs from movies Sati Sulochana, Vasantha Sena, Bedara Kannappa, Ratnmanjari, Kulavadhu, Chinnada Gombe, Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Nagarahavu, Yadakallu Guddada Mele, Ondanondu Kaladalli, Singapuradalli Raja Kulla, Mutthina Hara, Geeta, Om and songs of other popular movies.

POPULAR ACTORS ABSENT

The absence of popular actors was a big disappointment. The actors, who usually attend the award functions organised by private Kannada channels and other private parties were not to be seen at the award function organised by Information Department. People, who wanted to have a glimpse of their favourite actors such as Puneeth Rajkumar, Shiva Rajkumar, Darshan, ‘Kiccha’ Sudeep were left disappointed. However, presence of Pratham, who won the reality show ‘Bigg Boss-4’ brought some cheer to the audience.

District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Mayor M.J. Ravikumar, MLA M.K. Somashekar,  Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy Chairman S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, Karnataka  Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President Sa. Ra. Govindu, Department of Information Director N.R. Vishu Kumar and others were present.