The annual Gollapudi Srinivas Award presented to best debut directors was awarded to Aditya Dhar for Uri: The Surgical Strike and Madhu C Narayanan for Kumbalangi Nights. Notably, this is the first time, in its 23 years, two directors have been honoured by the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Foundation. The recipients will receive a cash award of Rs 1,50,000 along with a memento at an event on August 12.

In a statement, Aditya said, “I am genuinely humbled. It’s an honour to be sharing this award with an extraordinary talent like Madhu Narayanan.” Madhu C Narayanan shared similar sentiments as well. “Thank you so much for selecting me for the Gollapudi Srinivas National Award for the Best Debut Director for 2019. It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award along with the very talented Aditya Dhar.” 

The Gollapudi Srinivas Award was presented last year to C Prem Kumar for the film 96 and was awarded to Konkona Sen Sharma the previous year for her film Death in the Gunj.