Filmmaker Sumanth Bhat says the 72nd National Film Awards have brought the validation that Mithya had been waiting for ever since its journey began in 2022. Still processing the news, the director admits he is "blank" but overwhelmed with gratitude.
"I'm glad the film has received the validation it deserves. We shot the film in 2022, and what followed was a long struggle to distribute it, release it, and bring it to audiences. The biggest disappointment was seeing people not turn up in theatres. This recognition feels like validation for that entire journey."
More than the awards themselves, Sumanth hopes the recognition will help the film find a wider audience on OTT. "Many Kannada audiences still haven't heard of Mithya. I hope this National recognition makes people look up the film on OTT and discover it. If the awards help people talk about the film and find it, that's the biggest achievement for me."
Sumanth reserved his gratitude for producer Rakshit Shetty and Paramvah Studios, who backed the film despite knowing it wasn't a conventional commercial project. "Rakshit Shetty and Paramvah Studios believed in a film like this and produced it so selflessly. As directors, it always bothers us when we can't even recover the producer's investment. Our only hope was that the film would at least earn back its modest budget so that Rakshit could continue backing more small films. I hope this award validates that faith."
The director is also thrilled that young actor Athish Shetty has won the National Award.
"Athish was only 11 when we shot the film. Today he's around fifteen and a half. It's easy for me to write a complex child character because I'm only imagining it. But for a young boy from a happy family to understand, imagine, and live through such an emotionally demanding role is incredibly difficult. He truly deserves this honour."
He was equally delighted that actor Roopa Shree won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress.
"I'm so happy for Roopa Shree. I absolutely loved her performance in the film, and I always felt it wasn't spoken about enough. I'm really glad she's finally getting the recognition she deserves."
For Sumanth, the biggest victory would be if the National Award gives Mithya a second life.
"I'm just happy that people will now discover the film on digital platforms. Even if a thousand more people go back and watch Mithya because of this recognition, I'll consider that a victory."