| National Film Award for Best Kannada Feature Film | |
|---|---|
| National award for contributions toIndian Cinema | |
| Awarded for | BestKannada feature film of the year |
| Sponsored by | National Film Development Corporation of India |
| Formerly called | President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Kannada (1954–1968) National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada (1969–2021) |
| Rewards |
|
| First award | 1954 |
| Most recent winner | Kandeelu (2023) |
TheNational Film Award for Best Kannada Feature Film is one of theNational Film Awards presented annually by theNational Film Development Corporation of India. It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus). Since the70th National Film Awards, the name was changed to "Best Kannada Feature Film".[1]
TheNational Film Awards, established in 1954, are the most prominent film awards in India that merit the best of theIndian cinema. The ceremony also presents awards for films in variousregional languages.
Awards for films in seven regional language (Bengali,Hindi,Kannada,Malayalam,Marathi,Tamil andTelugu) started from2nd National Film Awards which were presented on 21 December 1955.[2] Three awards of "President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film", "Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film" and "Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film" were instituted. The latter two certificate awards were discontinued from15th National Film Awards (1967).
Directed by H. L. N. Simha, the 1954 filmBedara Kannappa, received the first Certificate of Merit. The film was based on the folktale of the hunterKannappa who proves his extreme devotion toLord Shiva by plucking out both of his eyes. However, the first "President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Kannada" was only awarded at the5th National Film Awards ceremony held on 16 April 1958 to the 1957 filmPremada Putri.[3] The film was directed byR. Nagendra Rao and produced under his banner R. N. R. Pictures. Following is the list of Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal) recipient films produced inKannada language.
Award includes 'Rajat Kamal' (Silver Lotus Award) and cash prize. Following are the award winners over the years:
| Awards legends | |
|---|---|
* | President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film |
* | Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film |
* | Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film |
* | Certificate of Merit for the Best Feature Film |
* | Indicates a joint award for that year |