Acknowledging his phenomenal contribution to cinema – particularly to Telugu and Tamil cinemas, the Union Government has announced prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award to legendary filmmaker Kasinathuni Viswanath. 87-yr-old veteran filmmaker had started his career as a sound engineer who went onto become a director and proved his mettle.
Viswanath’s Swati Mutyam was India’s official entry to the 59th Academy Awards. The film starring Kamal Haasan and Radhika had received both critical acclaim and commercial success. It was subsequently premiered at Asia Pacific Film Festival. Sagara Sangamam and Sirivennela were also premiered at the Asia Pacific Film Festival.
His directorial works Sankarabharanam and Saptapadi, have garnered the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Feature Film on National Integration, respectively. Sankarabharanam, was premiered at the 8th International Film Festival of India besides several international film festivals.
His another film Swayam Krushi, starring Chiranjeevi and Vijay Santhi, was premiered to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival. Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Shrutilayalu, Swarnakamalam and Swati Kiranam were premiered in the Indian Panorama section at International Film Festival of India and AISFM Film Festival.
Viswanath is the recipient of prestigious Padma Shri from the Government of India in 1992.