Actor-director Suneel Puranik was honored with the prestigious National Award on Tuesday evening for his documentary film "Ranga Vaibhoga" (2022), which explores the tradition of temple dance in Karnataka. The film won in the Best Arts/Culture Film category, marking the third National Award for the Puranik family. Previously, Suneel's son, Sagar Puranik, had received national recognition for his work in "Mahaan Hutatma" (Special Mention Award) and "Dollu" (Best Feature Film in Kannada) in 2019 and 2022, respectively.

This latest project holds special significance for the Puraniks as it is a collaborative effort between father and son. Suneel directed "Ranga Vaibhoga" while Sagar served as the producer. Reflecting on their success, Sagar mentioned that although the award has been received, the full impact is still sinking in. Sagar and Suneel share a passion for capturing and preserving fading traditions for future generations through their work.

Sagar attributes his interest in cultural subjects like "Dollu," "Ranga Vaibhoga," and their upcoming film "Venkya" to their deep-rooted cultural upbringing in north Karnataka. Their aim is to showcase the rich culture and heritage of their region and bring fresh and unique perspectives to the forefront. By exploring and documenting their roots, they strive to offer audiences something distinctive and unfamiliar in the realm of filmmaking."We aim to implement this project with a foundation rooted in culture," states Sagar. The primary obstacle in creating such films is securing financial backing. Achieving a break-even point is a challenge, let alone turning a profit. Additionally, sourcing technicians who share our vision is another hurdle. When collaborating on projects together as father and son, Sagar acknowledges their contrasting approaches and perspectives. "The dynamic between us is far from effortless," he explains. "We frequently argue in the evenings, continue the disagreement over breakfast the next day, and go silent for a couple of days. However, we always reconcile because we know that our intentions for the project are genuine." Sagar further acknowledges their understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to leverage these qualities in their collaborations. Suneel echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the clear division of responsibilities and mutual support they provide on set. Recalling a special moment post-award announcement, Suneel shares that receiving well-wishes from numerous individuals during his daily morning walks made him feel immensely appreciated, almost akin to winning an award.