Actor-director Suneel Puranik was honored with the esteemed National Award on Tuesday evening for his documentary film, Ranga Vaibhoga (2022), which delves into 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. Suneel's son, Sagar Puranik, had previously received national recognition for Mahaan Hutatma (Special Mention Award) in 2019 and Dollu (Best Feature Film in Kannada) in 2022. What makes this achievement even more special is that the father-son duo collaborated on this project, with Suneel directing and Sagar producing Ranga Vaibhoga. Sagar, who joined Suneel in New Delhi to accept the award, mentioned that while they are grateful for the recognition, it may take some time to fully process the moment. Looking back on his 37 years in the industry, Suneel emphasized that his focus has always been on preserving fading traditions through storytelling, rather than pursuing accolades. The Puraniks attribute their choice of culturally rich subjects, such as Dollu, Ranga Vaibhoga, and their upcoming film Venkya, to their upbringing steeped in tradition, particularly from north Karnataka. They aspire to showcase the unique facets of Indian culture, seeking to offer fresh and engaging content that hasn't been explored before. Instead of the conventional themes seen in mainstream films, they aim to highlight the richness of their roots, drawing inspiration from their heritage.Sagar explains that their goal is to implement culturally-inspired projects. The primary challenge in creating such films is securing funding, with the focus being on reaching a break-even point rather than generating profits. Another obstacle is finding technicians who share their vision. Sagar acknowledges that he and his father have contrasting approaches and opinions when working together on a project. They often face disagreements, but ultimately reconcile due to their shared commitment to the project. Suneel notes that their familiarity with each other's strengths and weaknesses enables them to effectively collaborate. They maintain a clear division of responsibilities on set while offering each other unwavering support. Suneel recalls the touching moment after receiving an award when well-wishers approached him during his usual morning walk, making him feel appreciated like he had received another award.