National Film Awards: ‘Mithya’ adjudged Best Kannada Film, bags two more honours

Mithya, produced by well-known actor Rakshit Shetty under the banner Paramvah Studios and directed by debutant Sumanth Bhat, was adjudged the Best Kannada Film at the 72nd National Film Awards on July 18, 2026 (Saturday).

The movie also won two more honours. The awards were given for movies that received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during the 2024 calendar year.

Mithya emerged as the winner in the Best Child Artist category, with Athish S. Shetty sharing the honours with Riddhiman Banerjee, Topomoy Deb, Gitashree Chakraborty (Onko Ki Kothin), and Arundev Pothula (35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu). Roopashre Varkady, who featured in Mithya, was jointly adjudged the best supporting actor in a female role along with Sachana Namidass (Maharaja.)

Troubled childhood

Mithya is about an 11-year-old boy’s trauma of losing both his parents. The movie is a moving reflection of a troubled childhood. “Dreams are beautiful. But watching a story you believed in find its place in people’s hearts, and now in the history of Indian cinema, is something. Stories told with honesty never go unnoticed,” wrote Rakshit on X (formerly Twitter).

Mithya premiered at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in 2024, before its screening at the Bengaluru International Film Festival in 2025. “I jumped with joy when they announced the winners in the Supporting Actor category. Roopa ma’am was brilliant. Supporting actors are the backbone of any movie, and, sadly, they get typecast,” Sumanth told The Hindu.

“I thank Rakshit for championing films like Mithya, despiteknowing it might not have a long run in theatres. If anything, the triumph of Mithya will give hope to filmmakers who want to make content-driven, realistic movies with an indie spirit,” he added.

Best book

Meanwhile, Kenchanuru Pradeep Kumar Shetty won in the Best Book competition. His work Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi: Kannada Cinema Thathva Matthu Rajakeeya on Kannada cinema is published by Mirror Pusthaka.

Imbu was adjudged the Best Tulu movie. Produced by Pichchar Studio, the movie is directed by Shivadhwaj Shetty.