Marathi films, directors shine at awards ceremony

Pune: Cinematographer Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti has worked on several memorable movies but for now a National Film Award for the best debutante director holds prime position in his list of achievements.

Yakkanti’s film Naal bagged the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film as a Director at the 66th National Film Awards.

“It is very exciting,” Yakkanti smiled, adding, “It is kind of a shift. I have worked with many directors in films, and they have all inspired me in some way, besides the master directors of all time.”

Yakkanti also praised Shrinivas Pokale, who was among the four winners in the Best Child Actor category. “He played the central character of the film and acted really beautifully,” he told TOI.

Equally surprised and pleased at his National Film Award was Swanand Kirkire. Better known as a lyricist, his way with words has won him two National Film Awards in previous years. Kirkire won the award for the Best Supporting Actor in the film Chumbak. Kirkire played the role of a mentally-challenged man, who befriends a 15-year-old restaurant worker.

“I want to thank the director (Sandeep Modi) and the producers, including Akshay Kumar. This award is unbelievable. It’s crazy. I have acted in a few films and I started my career in theatre but I never wanted to be an actor. I always imagined that I would win my next award in writing,” Kirkire shared.

Shivaji Lotan Patil also added to his National Film Awards kitty after his film Bhonga was adjudged the Best Film in Marathi. He was adjudged the best director for his film Dhag earlier.

As with almost every year, films made by students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) made their mark on the winners’ list. Neeraj Singh won a Special Jury Award for art direction in the film Ekaant. Ramana Dumpala’s film Glow Worm in a Jungle won a special mention for exploring a unique subject. The film is based on a retired professor, who has lived most of her life without an electricity connection at her home.

“Making a documentary film was a compulsory part of the course. So when we were exploring subjects, a classmate, who is from Maharashtra, told us of retired professor Hema Sane, who lives without electricity or modern amenities. I am from Hyderabad and most of the crew was from Kerala so communication was somewhat difficult but I went to her house and struck up a friendship with her. She had barely ever faced a camera in her life, so we tried our best to make her comfortable. After all, when I am taking a camera to her house with lights and everything, it is somewhat against her principles,” Dumpala shared.


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