Bengaluru: Kannada cinema made its presence felt at the 72nd National Film Awards with Mithya emerging as the standout film from Karnataka. It bagged honours in three categories, including Best Kannada Film, Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Child Artist. Besides, Karnataka also won the award for the best writing on Cinema.Mithya, directed by Sumanth Bhat and produced by Paramvah Pictures and KRG Studios, was adjudged the best Kannada film. The producer and director will each receive the Rajat Kamal along with a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. The movie chronicles the journey of 11-year-old boy whose life is turned upside down after the tragic loss of both his parents and is forced to relocate to a village in Udupi and cope with grief in unfamiliar landscape.Adding to the film’s haul, Roopashree Varkady won the national award for best actress in a supporting role for her performance in Mithya. The film also brought national recognition to young talent from Karnataka, with Athish S Shetty winning the best child artist award for his lead performance in the film. He and Roopashree each will receive the Rajat Kamal along with a share of the Rs 2 lakh cash prize.Similarly, the Tulu film ‘Imbu’ directed by Shivadhwaj Shetty and produced by Pichchar Studio won the national award for the best Tulu film of 2024.Karnataka also registered its presence beyond the feature film categories, with Kannada writer Kenchanuru Pradeep Kumar Shetty winning the award for the best book on cinema for Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi: Kannada Cinemada Thathva matthu Rajakeeya. The honour carries the Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
