The Karnataka State Film Awards for 2021–22 have been announced, celebrating the best of Kannada cinema. Doddahatti Boregowda won the top honour of Best Film, while 777 Charlie was declared Second Best Film and Bisilu Kudure was chosen as Third Best Film. Bharatada Prajegalada Naavu (We, the Citizens of India) won Best Film with a Social Concern. Yuvarathnaa was named Best Popular Entertaining Film, and Cake won Best Children’s Film.
Among debut directors, Badava Rascal by Shankar Guru was recognised as Best First Film. Nada Peda Asha (Kodava language) bagged Best Regional Language Film of Karnataka.
In the performance categories, Rakshit Shetty won Best Actor for 777 Charlie, and Archana Jois was awarded Best Actress for Mute. The Supporting Actor awards went to actor Pramod (Ratnan Prapancha) and Umashree (Ratnan Prapancha).
On the writing side, Manjunath Muniyappa received Best Story (9 Sullu Kathegalu), Raghu KM won Best Screenplay (Doddahatti Boregowda), and Baraguru Ramachandrappa got Best Dialogues (Thaayi Kasthur Gandhi).
In the technical section, Bhuvanesh Prabhu won Best Cinematography (Amme Samsara – Konkani), Imtiyaz Sultan bagged Best Music Director (Bisilu Kudure), and Prateek Shetty was awarded Best Editing (777 Charlie). Child artistes Master Atish Shetty (Cake) and Baby Bhairavi (Bhairavi) were also honoured.
Other winners included Ravi Santehaklu (Best Art Direction – Bhajarangi 2), Nagarjuna Sharma (Best Lyricist – “Madilnalli Kadalinashtu Harigaliddaru…” from 777 Charlie), Aneesh Keshava Rao (Best Male Playback Singer – Sri Jagannatha Dasaru), and Sahana M Bharadwaj (Best Female Playback Singer – Dandi).
Special Awards went to Bhairavi (Costume Designer), Yogi G Raj (Bhajarangi 2), and Shivakumar (Make-up for Thaayi Kasthur Gandhi). The Best Production Manager award was given to Shivakumar S (Shivarjuna) for Pogaru.
Kiranraj K, director of 777 Charlie, said:
"777 Charlie winning four State Awards — Best Actor for Rakshit Shetty, Best Editing for Prateek Shetty, Best Lyricist for Nagarjuna Sharma, and Best Film — feels very special. The film was released three years ago, and after receiving Best Feature Kannada Film at the 69th National Awards, being honoured with the State Awards now is equally meaningful. I am especially happy that the hard work of Rakshit, our editor, and our lyricist has been recognised. Honestly, I had expected Rakshit to win Best Actor at the National level too. His effort was extraordinary. He trained for almost a year with the dog and gave nearly 70 takes patiently to match Charlie’s comfort. He even went through discomfort, like applying fish oil on his face or holding biscuits, just to get Charlie’s attention. He stepped out of his comfort zone completely for this role, and that is why this recognition means so much to us."
Archana Jois, who won the Best Actress award for Mute, said:
“My role in the film Mute explores the relationship between a human and a dog. I play a divorced woman, and the story shows how her life changes when a dog comes into it, how she grows emotionally, and begins to heal. It is a psychological thriller, and when the dog is lost, the film shows how her life takes a turn again. Receiving this State Award for the first time feels very special. I am extremely happy and proud.”