Actor Kichcha Sudeep has declined the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor, an accolade he earned for his compelling performance in the 2019 sports drama 'Pailwaan'. The celebrated actor shared that he has refrained from accepting awards for several years, citing personal reasons behind this decision.
Kichcha Sudeep's statement on X
On Thursday, Sudeep shared his thoughts on X, addressing the government of Karnataka and the jury responsible for the awards. In his message, he expressed gratitude for the recognition but explained his stance on declining such honours.
“Respected Government of Karnataka and Members of the Jury, it is truly a privilege to have received the state award under the best actor category, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the respected jury for this honour. However, I must express that I have chosen to stop receiving awards for several years now, a decision made for various personal reasons that I intend to uphold,” he wrote.
"There are many deserving actors"
He added, “There are many deserving actors who have poured their hearts into their craft and would appreciate this prestigious recognition far more than I would. It will only make me happier to see one of them receiving it. My dedication to entertaining people has always been without the expectation of awards, and this acknowledgement from the jury alone serves as a significant boost for me to continue striving for excellence.”
The actor also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the jury members for selecting him and acknowledged the value of their recognition. “This recognition is, in itself, my reward. I sincerely apologise to the jury members and the state government for any disappointment my decision may cause, and I trust you will respect my choice and support me on the path I have chosen. Once again, I thank the honourable members of the jury and the state government for recognising my work and considering me for this award,” he added.
Karnataka State Film Awards
The announcement of the Karnataka State Film Awards for 2019 was made on Wednesday, with Kichcha Sudeep and Anupama Gowda being named Best Actor and Actress, respectively. Sudeep’s award recognised his role in Pailwaan, while Anupama was honoured for her performance in Trayambakam.
The awards were delayed by five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a government release. Notably, the awards for the years 2020 to 2024 are still pending.
Other notable winners include V Harikrishna, who secured the Best Music Director award for his work in Yajamana, starring Darshan. Additionally, Darling Krishna was recognized with the Best Screenplay award for his directorial debut Love Mocktail, a romantic drama.