The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka on Sunday, 19 July 2026, shared a congratulatory message from Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as the 72nd National Film Awards declared winners, with two Karnataka-language films earning national recognition. Posting in Kannada, Shivakumar expressed that the announcements were a matter of 'immense joy and pride.' The message, attributed directly to him and shared via the official Chief Minister's Office handle, congratulated both winning film teams wholeheartedly and hoped that more such films would emerge in the future to 'raise the glory of the state even higher.'

Context

'Mithya', directed by Sumant Bhat, has been named the Best Kannada Film at the 72nd National Film Awards. Simultaneously, 'Imbu', directed by Shivdhwaj Shetty, has been awarded Best Tulu Language Film — marking a rare double win for Karnataka's regional cinema in a single awards cycle. The official post described the honour as 'atyantta santosada haagu hemmeyada vishayavaagide' (a matter of immense happiness and pride).

Policy Backdrop

The National Film Awards, instituted by India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, are the country's most prestigious film honours, recognising excellence across feature films, non-feature films, and regional-language cinema. The awards' mandate to cover India's diverse linguistic landscape has historically provided a national platform for smaller regional industries. Karnataka has long supported its film sector through the Karnataka State Film Development Corporation, which has administered state-level awards and production subsidies since the 1970s. Recognition of Tulu-language cinema at the national level is particularly significant given that Tulu is spoken primarily in coastal Karnataka and does not hold scheduled-language status.

Stakeholders and Impact

The dual recognition benefits both the established Kannada film industry and the smaller, emerging Tulu film sector based in coastal Karnataka. For Tulu cinema, a national award elevates visibility and may strengthen advocacy for greater state and central support. Filmmakers, producers, and cultural bodies across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts — the heartland of Tulu-speaking communities — are expected to celebrate the win. State governments in India routinely issue public congratulations after National Film Award announcements, using such moments to highlight linguistic and cultural achievements to domestic and diaspora audiences alike.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to whether the Karnataka government convenes a state-level felicitation ceremony for the winning teams, a common practice following national honours. Budget allocations for film incentives in the next fiscal year will also be watched, as national recognition often strengthens the case for increased state support to regional-language productions. Shivakumar's message closed with a wish that such films continue to emerge and elevate Karnataka's cultural reputation — signalling the government's intent to remain a visible patron of the state's diverse cinematic traditions.