P. Sheshadri wins fifth National Award

Bangalore, Jan 23 (IANS) P. Sheshadri, whose "Vimukthi" has bagged the National Award for best regional film, is the only Kannada film director to have won five awards for all the five films he has directed so far.

Voicing happiness at bagging the award yet again, Sheshadri said it is difficult to get producers to back film scripts dwelling on contemporary social issues.

Unable to get the right producers, Sheshadri organises the finance for his own films.

"Getting a good producer to back my scripts is not all that easy. Girish Kasaravalli sir is a big name and he has been backed by producers who are committed and are convinced of his ability to make internationally acclaimed films," Sheshadri told IANS.

"The only exception is actor Jayamala who produced a film like Thuththoori', which won the best film on environmental issues National Award," Sheshadri said. He has released all his films in theatres.

"I know I cannot market my films with the limited resources in my command. But still I want to release all my films in theatres and want people interested in such ventures to get an opportunity to see the films in theatres," says Sheshadri.

His first film "Munnudi" (2000) had won the best film on social issues National Award. He got a big recognition for his first film as it was able to win a similar award from the state government too. His other films "Athithi", "Thuththoori", "Beru" and "Vimukthi" have won him National Awards.

It is significant that actor Prakash Raj who won last year's National Award had acted in "Athithi" without taking any money.

"I was inspired by Sheshadri's script. I just accepted the offer and told him that he should not pay me anything since his script was invaluable," said Prakash Raj, who had played the role of a terrorist in the film.

Sheshadri has been making and directing television serials and his films are getting wide recognition in the country and also abroad for the way he handles sensitive themes.