Venkatesh, Maheswari get Nandi awards

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 7. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, has said that Hyderabad was close to being called the film capital of the nation, with its excellent production facilities.

At a glittering function in the Lalitha Kala Thoranam here on Thursday, he gave away the Nandi Awards for 1999 to film personalities for their outstanding performances. He said that the film industry was seeing change on every aspect. "People appreciate good work", he said, adding that more family entertainers, many of them made on a low budget, were coming out and having successful runs.

The Nandi Awards this time round had been selected with a lot of creativity in the process and talent had clearly been identified and recognised, Mr. Naidu said. However, he added it was unfortunate that it had been embroiled in some controversy, adding "anyway, good times have come to the industry".

Star of yesteryears and septuagenarian, Ms. Shantakumari, who shot to fame with "Maya Bazaar" and "Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam" received the Raghupathi Venkayya Award for her outstanding contribution.

While Mr. Venkatesh received the Best Actor Award. Ms. Maheswari received the Best Actress for her work in "Neekosam". "Kalisundam Ra" bagged the Best Film Award and Master Mahendra of "Devi" fame got the Best Child Artiste Award.

Mr. Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry got the Best Lyricist Award and Mr. Vandemataram Srinivas bagged the Best Music Director Award. While actor-writer Mr. Tanikella Bharani got the Best Villain Award, Mr. Srihari and Mr. Venu got special prizes from the jury.

The Home Minister, Mr. T. Devender Goud said that the industry should draw upon its in-built strength and work together to solve the problems. Fundamental changes were required and if the industry came up with suggestions the Government would certainly consider them and deliberate upon issues, he said.

Thespian Mr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, referring to the award given to Ms. Shantakumari, said it proved that the Government had not forgotten elders whose contribution to the film industry was outstanding. Others who spoke included the Chairman of the Nandi Awards Committee, Mr. D.V.S. Raju, Mr. Venkatesh and Mr. Tanikella Bharani. The Minister for Information and Public Relations, Dr. N. Sivaprasad.

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