Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described K. Viswanath as an “outstanding filmmaker” and congratulated him for winning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in cinema.
Shri K Vishwanath has distinguished himself as an outstanding filmmaker. I congratulate him on being conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke award.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 4 May 2017
He also congratulated all those who got the National Film Awards on Wednesday.
I congratulate all those who were conferred with the National Film Awards. We are proud of their creativity & contribution to cinema.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 4 May 2017
Vishwanath has directed 50 films, known for their strong content, endearing narrative, honest handling and cultural authenticity. Some of his major Hindi films include “Sargam”, “Kaamchor”, “Sanjog”, “Jaag Utha Insan” and “Eeshwar”. The 87-year-old received the honour at the Vigyan Bhavan here from President Pranab Mukherjee.
Born in February 1930 at Gudivada (now in Andhra Pradesh), Viswanath has won five National Awards, 20 Nandi Awards (awarded by the Andhra Pradesh government) and 10 Filmfare Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 1992.
His National Award winning movie, “Swati Mutyam (The White Pearl)”, was India’s official entry to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category in 1987.