Gollapudi Srinivas Award announced

Rajanesh Domalapalli chosen for his Telugu film `Vanaja'

THE JURY: (From left) Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and Govind Nihalani at the conference in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: S.S. Kumar

CHENNAI: రజనేష్ దోమలపల్లి (Rajanesh Domalapalli) has been chosen for the `Gollapudi Srinivas National Award 2006' for his debut Telugu film వనజ (Vanaja).

Announcing the award at a press conference here on Friday, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, managing trustee, Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Foundation, said the film was selected from 17 nominations across the country in several languages including Marathi, Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil. This year, a film made in Sonpa, a dialect of Arunachal Pradesh without a script, was also received for nomination.

Terming it as a richly deserved award, he said several factors, such as realistic and impeccable casting and music of the film, bagged the award for Mr. Domalapalli.

Govind Nihalani, director and jury member, appreciated the directors of the nominated films for their courage to choose different scripts and not yield in to the demands of the mainstream market.

`Vanaja' is the story of a young girl, a victim of sexual exploitation, who stands up for her dignity and moves on in life.

Unlike several films on similar themes, the film breaks through stereotypes and sustains an element of hope, he said. Mr. Domalapalli was chosen for his command over the craft of filmmaking and impact of the film.

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, director and jury member, said it was an understated film without melodrama. Mr. Domalapalli would be honoured with the award and a cash prize of Rs.1.5 lakh at a function on August 12.

Courtesy: The Hindu