The Kannada film industry has to feel content with two awards at the 71st National awards announced on Friday.
Kandeelu by K Yeshoda and Kottuthira gets the Kannada best feature film award, while the best script in the short film category goes to Sunflowers were the first ones to know…. Chidanand S Naik gets the award.
For Kandeelu Yeshoda and Kottuhira gets Rs.2 lakh each as cash award and Chidanana S Naik gets Rs.2 lakhs for his best script in the short film category.
‘Kandeelu’ film has been directed and produced by K. Yashodha, with Prabhakar B. Kundar — known for his role in Kantara — playing a key role. The cast also includes Vanitha Rajesh, Venkatesh Prasad, Chandrakant Kodpadi, Khushi, Kaveramma, and Harini Vijay.
The film features background music by Sri Suresh, cinematography by P.V.R. Swamy, and story, screenplay, and editing by Nagesh N.
The title Kandeelu, a Kannada word, translates to “light” in English. The film metaphorically explores how even a small ray of hope can illuminate and ease life’s struggles. Set in a rural farming family, the narrative unfolds with the intrusion of land mafia trying to seize the protagonist’s property. What follows is a tense conflict — will he succeed in cultivating his land, or will it end in tragedy?
The film portrays this emotional journey with depth, shedding light on the resilience of rural communities and the value of standing one’s ground.