Veteran Sandalwood actor-producer-director Dwarakish has been selected for the 144th annual Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award for the year 2012.

The award given to film personalities who have contributed to films in India will be given away on Dada Saheb’s birthday on March 31. Previous winners of the award from Sandalwood include Parvathamma Rajkumar and K.C.N. Gowda.

Dwarakish, who entered Kannada filmdom as a comedy actor with the help of his uncle and late film-maker Hunsur Krishnamurthy, soon turned a producer with films like Mayor Muttanna and went on to produce about 50 films.

The veteran actor has to his credit production of lavish films shot in foreign locations and his films Singapuradalli Raja Kulla & Africadalli Sheela set standards in Indian cinema for shooting in exotic locations.

He has also directed some memorable films. As an actor, he was part of the all-time great comedy trio of Narasimharaju and Balakrishna.

Reacting to the announcement, Dwarakish said the award has made him more enthusiastic. The award named after the ‘Father of Indian Motion Pictures’ would inspire him to make more films. His 50-year-long service in the industry had finally been recognised, he added.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore