Karnataka State Film Awards 2019: Sudeep, Anupama Gowda win Best Actor honours

Sudeep from ‘Pailwaan’.

Sudeep and Anupama Gowda have been adjudged the best actor and best actress, respectively, as the Karnataka State Film Awards for 2019 were announced on Wednesday (January 22, 2025). While Sudeep won the award for his performance in the sports drama Pailwan, Anupama clinched the honour for her role in the thriller Trayambakam.

Veteran P. Sheshadri’s Mohandas emerged the winner in the best film category while Darling Krishna’s Love Mocktail and Arghyam were picked as the second and third best films, respectively. Love Mocktail, the hit romantic comedy starring Krishna and Milana Nagaraj, also bagged the best screenplay award, and the best playback singer male award, with Raghu Dixit being named the winner.

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Nagathihalli Chandrashekar’s India vs England was chosen as the best popular film. Kanneri got the best film on social cause honour. V. Harikrishna, who co-directed and scored music for Darshan’s Yajamana, won the best music director award.

Govt. attributes delay to pandemic

While the Karnataka government had announced the winners for 2018, it is yet to hold the awards ceremony. The awards for the following years have not been given as well. During the opening ceremony of the 15th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) in March 2024, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said that a committee had been formed to decide the winners for 2019. The State government had attributed the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic.

List of other winners

Best art direction: Hosmane Murthy (for Mohandas), best cinematography: G.S. Bhaskar (Mohandas),best story: Jayanth Kaikini (Illu Iralaare Ali Hogalaare); best actor in supporting role (male): Tabala Nani (Chemistry of Kariappa); best actor in supporting (Female): Anusha Krishna (Brahmi); best child actor (male): Master Preetam (Minchulu); best child actor (female): Vaishnavi Adiga (Sugandhi); best playback singer (female): Jayadevi Jangamashetti (Raga Bhairavi).