We want to Document our fading traditions for the next gen: Suneel and Sagar Puranik

On Tuesday evening, actor-director Suneel Puranik received the prestigious National Award for Ranga Vaibhoga (2022), a documentary film on the tradition of temple dance in Karnataka, under the Best Arts/Culture Film category. This is the third National Award at the Puranik household. Previously, his son, Sagar Puranik had won the national award for Mahaan Hutatma (Special Mention Award) and Dollu (Best Feature Film in Kannada) in 2019 and 2022, respectively.This project is doubly special for the Puraniks as the father-son duo has collaborated for this project. While Suneel has directed the film, Sagar has produced Ranga Vaibhoga. “I know the award has reached home, but it may take some more time to sink in,” says Sagar, who had accompanied Suneel to New Delhi to receive the award.
“It’s been 37 years in the industry and I have not once done any work with an intention to win an award. Awards, of course, are big and encouraging. But, through my work, I want to document our fading traditions and preserve them for the future generations,” Suneel shares. The father-son duo talks to us about showcasing culture through its work, personality clashes and more.
‘Our upbringing inspires us to pick such projects’
Sagar confides that it is his culturally-deep rooted upbringing that draws him towards subjects like Dollu, Ranga Vaibhoga and his next film, Venkya. “We come from north Karnataka, which is soaked in culture. It is that drive to show our country and culture in the best way possible that makes us do such films. When Kantara came, a wide variety of people got introduced to the Tulunadu culture. The north Karnataka culture is even older than that. When you make regular films like love stories, revenge stories or commercial entertainers, they are universal. It is the same everywhere. But, how can I show something that is unique or fresh? It is by showcasing our roots, which has not at all been explored. All people want is fresh content and we want to deliver it through a culturally-backed project,” Sagar says.
‘Our approach and thinking are polar opposites’
“Working together as father and son on a project is not a cakewalk as our approach and thinking are polar opposites,“ shares Sagar. “We fight a lot at night, next day, we argue at the breakfast table and stop talking to each other for 2-3 days. Then, we make up because we are both aware that we only have good intentions for the project,” he adds.
“I know Sagar’s strengths and weaknesses, and he knows mine. Because of this, we are able to tap in on that for our collaborations. As father and son, on the sets, we have a clear division of responsibilities, and we have an understanding. We won’t interfere in each other’s work, but are always with each other to offer support,” adds Suneel.