Putmalli of Kannada cinema the renowned actress of theatre, film and Congress I politician Umasri has bagged the first national award for her performance in ‘Gulabi Talkies’ and apparently the film also bagged the best regional film award category. The ever lovable actor hailing from Karnataka making it big in Tamil and Telugu Prakash Rai has bagged the national award as best actor for his role in ‘Kancheevaram’.

Prakash Raj had earlier won the best supporting award for his performance in 1998 for ‘Iruvar’ Tamil film.

Prakash Rai superseded actors like Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan as both actor films ‘Chak De India’ and ‘Taare Zamin Par’. Another South Indian Shanker Mahadevan has bagged the best playback singer at the national level for the unforgettable song ‘Meri Maa…in Taare Zamin Par.

That means the major honors are bagged by artists of Karnataka! Umasri and Prakash Raj both belong to Karnataka.

After state award for ‘Gulabi Talkies’ for 2007-2008 Umasri bagged another international award at the Ocean International Film festival – where she was given Rs.2 lakh award money. This Basanthkumar Patil produced Girish Kasaravalli's film 'Gulabi Talkies' took part in Ocean international film festival and won two awards. In Middle East International film festival this is the only Indian film to participate. In the other international and national film festivals in Soviet Union, Rotterdam, France, Switzerland, Singapore, Holland, Eden Baron, Spain, Grenada and back home in Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruchchi, Gauhathi, Gorakhpur 'Gulabi Talkies' is taking part in the
festivals in the coming months. The film ‘Gulabi Talkies’ was selected for Indian Panorama section too with two other films ‘Banadha Neralu’ and ‘Gubbachchigalu’.

Sai Paranjpe headed the 2007 National film awards July and other members included Ashok Viswanathan and Namita Gokhale. About 102 films and 106 non-feature films were considered.

Manohar. R.(Manu),
chitrataramanu@gmail.com
Photo Journalist
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