Hejjegalu leads Sandalwood charge

BANGALORE: Sandalwood bagged four national awards in the list announced on Thursday.
The winners are `Hejjegalu', directed by PR Ramdas Naidu (best children's film award); `Bettada Jeeva', directed by P Sheshadri (best film in environmental category); `Puttakkana Highway', directed by B Suresha (best regional film) and Manu N Chakravarthi (best critic).
While `Hejjegalu' and `Bettada Jeeva' are produced by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Basant Kumar Patil, `Puttakkana Highway' is by actor Prakash Rai and Shylaja Nag.
`Puttakkana Highway', which explores the development vs displacement debate and stars Shruti and Prakash Rai, is scheduled for release today. The other two have not been released.
`Bettada Jeeva', based on the eponymous novel by Jnanpith awardee Shivaram Karanth, is slated for release next month. It's about human relationships and the interaction between human beings and nature. Director Sheshadri has set a record by becoming the first director to win national awards consecutively for all his six films. He started with his debut `Munnudi' (2001) and continued with Athithi (2002), Beru (2004), Thutturi (2007) and Vimukti (2008).
Critic and author Chakravarthi has taught cinema, music and literature for over three decades.
Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa sent his wishes: "The Kannada film industry is held in high esteem, both at the national and international level, by virtue of its quality. We're proud of all the winners. I hope they inspire the industry to scale further heights of glory.''
Director's take
I dedicate this award to mediapersons and activists who are fighting for the rights of the people being displaced in the name of development. They opened my eyes to the issue.
B Suresha | director, Puttakkana Highway
It was a great challenge for me to bring a great novel by a great author to celluloid. I was initially apprehensive. As a literature student, I read the novel, but scored poorly in the exam. But as a film-maker, I think I have scored good marks. It makes me happy.
P Sheshadri | director, Bettada Jeevana
I am very happy. The film is about a girl who reaches impressive heights despite all odds. I hope it motives the society to be more responsive towards children.
Ramdas Naidu | director, Hejjegalu
State film awards
The Karnataka state film awards for 2008-09 will be given away on Saturday May 21 in Bangalore.
The controversy surrounding the prestigious Puttanna Kanagal award has died down. Information department director Muddu Mohan told reporters here on Thursday that veteran filmmaker KSR Das will accept the award.
The selection committee headed by veteran film director SR Bhargava had chosen Das. Following objections by some journalists that Das was a non-Kannadiga and directed only remakes, Bhargava announced he was dropping Das's name and requesting Girish Karnad to receive the award. However, Karnad declined the award.
Muddu Mohan said: "It was his (Bhargava's) opinion. The government's choice is Das and we stand by it. We spoke to Das and he agreed to receive the award.''
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com