Veteran filmmaker K Viswanath, also known as Kasinadhuni Viswanath, has won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for outstanding contribution to the film industry. He is the 48th recipient of the award, considered the highest recognition in Indian cinema. The award consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs, and a shawl.
The 87-year-old director is well-known for award-winning movies like Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, and Swati Mutyam, among many others. The award will be presented to him by President Pranab Mukherjee on May 3 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The recommendation for the director’s nomination was approved by Information and Broadcasting Minister, Venkaiah Naidu. A PTI report via Indian Express quotes Viswanath saying that hard work eventually does get recognised.
“It is difficult to express (my feelings) in words. It is a routine to say I am very happy. What I felt was, it has proved that whatever we do with commitment and discipline –whether it is making a film or anything else — will have its worth,” he said.
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His film Swati Mutyam was actor Kamal Haasan’s first official entry to the Oscars, in the Best Foreign Film category. The director praised the greatness of actors Kamal Haasan and Chiranjeevi for not behaving like superstars with him. The movie was later re-made into Eashwar with Anil Kapoor as the lead.
K Viswanath is also the recipient of five National Film Awards. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992. He has had an active presence in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films.
Picture Courtesy: Chai Bisket