Bengaluru: The Kannada film industry bagged two national awards, which were announced on Friday. The Best Make-Up Artist recognition has gone to M.K. Ramakrishna, while Best Music Direction to Bapu Padmanabha, both for Allama, which has been directed by T.S. Nagabharana. Reservation, directed by Nikhil Manjoo, has been adjudged the best feature film in Kannada.
“Reservation talks about the side-effects of reservation in general in society. It's one of the most relevant and sensitive issues that needs to be told in an effective manner. Time has come to throw more light on it. Every aspect of the film came out really well and I am happy that the film has been selected as the best regional film," says Nikhil Manjoo. His earlier film Hajj, made in 2013, won three state awards for best actor, direction, and screenplay.
On Bapu Padmanabha winning the best music direction award for Allama, Nagabharana said that Bapu is a flautist, who trained under the renowned Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, and it was his first outing as a music director. “Bapu was quite hesitant to compose music, but I am happy that his first venture has won him a national award. While I have been working with Ramakrishna, who has won the Best Make-Up Artist award, for over three decades and it's his first national award," says Nagabharana. Actress Meghana Raj, who plays the woman protagonist in Allama said, “I am happy that the technicians who work behind the screen are awarded.”
