State Awardees react

Ravichandran was happy that his work as a director has been recognized with this big award. "To win an award instituted in the name of a big director is something to be proud off. I had many detractors when I started directing films. They said that I should concentrate only in acting and leave the responsibility of direction to others. But with this award I think I have proved something to all. It has come at a right time for me as I am already working on two fantastic scripts. This award will certainly stimulate me to work harder and better' said Ravichandran.

Pavitra LokeshPavithra Lokesh has always proved to be a good actress in whatever role she performs on the screen. But unfortunately she was not getting good quality roles until four times national award winner Girish Kasaravalli chose her to play an important role in Naayi Neralu which was based on Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa's novel.

She is believed to have narrowly missed the Best Actress National award (the awards have not been announced so far despite the jury committee deciding on awards a month ago) had the consolation of winning a state government award.

Girish Kasaravalli"This is my first award. Generally I do not think big of my achievements as an actress, but this award has certainly made me serious. I am happy, thrilled and presently on cloud nine' said the actress who is having her best times in television serials. Girish Kasaravalli the director of Naayi Neralu had chosen Pavithra only after seeing her performance in the Television serial Guptha Gaamini.

Girish Kasaravalli says that Naayi Neralu is the most complex and difficult film he has made so far.