Veteran filmmaker K. Viswanath wins Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2016
Veteran filmmaker K. Viswanath, who helmed acclaimed hits such as Salangali Oli and Sippikul Muthu, has won the Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2016. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting confirmed the news yesterday.
“His contributions have received recognition in the form of Padmashri Award in 1992 by the Government of India for his contribution to filmmaking. He has also been awarded 5 National Awards, 20 Nandi Awards (awarded by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh), 10 Filmfare Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award. His national award winning Swathi Muthyam (Sippikul Muthu in Tamil) was the India’s official entry to the 59th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category. His film, Sankarabharanam, is one of India’s most memorable classics, which was appreciated across the world,” reads a statement from MIB.
The award will be conferred by the President of India on May 3.
Elated with the announcement, Kamal Haasan took to Twitter and said: “My K.Vishwanath gaaru is a Dada Saheb Palke award winner. In his humility he would say ” I am lucky”.Truth is Indians are lucky. So am I. Thank u with glistening eyes Vishwanath gaaru for Sagara sangamam. Like Balu of S.S I initiate more applause. Your fame is mine vice versa.“
