Kannada star Vishnuvardhan visits alma mater

Bangalore, Oct 16 (IANS) Kannada super star Vishnuvardhan is not enamoured of awards and is perfectly happy with the "love and affection" of the people.

"The love and affection showered on me cannot be measured or described. It is the greatest gift to me. I am not worried about not receiving recognition from ... the government," he told students of the National College in the city, where he had studied from 1966 to 1970.

A student asked why he had not won the prestigious Padma Bhushan award despite his contribution to the film industry and his social service.

The one-hour interaction had the students in splits when Vishnu shared some of his student-day memories. He said he used to bunk classes to see films while he told his parents he was studying well in the college.

"Our principal H. Narasimhaiah was very strict and would chide me frequently. He also talked to my parents, but I had found my own ways to convince them," Vishnu said.

"I think it is better to stand focused and work hard to achieve what one aspires for. I never thought I would become an actor, but I did become an actor."

Vishnu added: "It was the late Puttanna Kanagal who gave me a wonderful break and I don't think I can get anything better than that. 'Nagara Haavu' still remains my most memorable film."

He was bitter that the Puttanna Kanagal Theatre was in shambles.

"I teamed up with Ambareesh to revive this theatre. I sent many proposals to the government and the Bangalore city corporation to allow us to revive this theatre as it carried the name of our mentor. But nothing has been heard so far," Vishnu said.