BackSankarabharanam director K. Viswanath to get Dadasaheb Phalke award
K. Viswanath became the 48th recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema
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New Delhi: Film director and actor Kasinadhuni Viswanath is the will be conferred with the 48th Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the government said on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry, M. Venkaiah Naidu, minister for I&B approved the recommendations of the Dadasaheb Phalke Awards committee on Monday.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award is conferred by the central government for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. Viswanath will get a cash prize of ₹ 10 lakh and a golden lotus.
Viswanath, who has been the recipient of five national film awards, is a sound designer-turned director and actor, known for his work in Telegu, Tamil and Hindi cinema. He has made 50 films since 1965 and has received 20 Nandi awards (awarded by the Andhra Pradesh government), 10 Filmfare awards including a Lifetime Achievement award and Padmashri Award in 1992.
Viswanath is known for his movies — Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Swati Mutyam, Saptapadi, Kaamchor, Sanjog and Jaag Utha Insaan among others.
“A presenter of classical and traditional art, music and dance, Shri K. Viswanath has been a guiding force in the Indian film industry. As a director, he has made fifty films since 1965 known for their strong content, endearing narrative, honest handling and cultural authenticity," the ministry said in the statement.
Born in 1930 in Andhra Pradesh, Viswanath has made a series of films based on varied themes of art, music and dance. His film Swathi Mutyam was India’s official entry to the 59th Academy Awards in the best foreign film category. He has also acted in a handful of Telegu movies like Narasimha Naidu, Lakshmi Narasimha, Seemasimham and Santosham.
Recently, the ministry had felicitated photo journalist Raghu Rai with a Lifetime Achievement Award and actors Akshay Kumar (for Rustom) and Sonam Kapoor (for Neerja), among others with National Film Awards.
The government has set aside a total of Rs207 crore to be spent on the film sector during 2017-18, up from Rs134 crore last year. This will include dissemination of film content, infrastructure development, development of National Museum of Indian Cinema among other projects.
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