On Tuesday evening, actor-director Suneel Puranik was honored with the prestigious National Award for his documentary film Ranga Vaibhoga (2022) in the Best Arts/Culture Film category. This marks the third National Award for the Puranik family. Previously, Suneel's son, Sagar Puranik, received national recognition for his work on Mahaan Hutatma (Special Mention Award) in 2019 and Dollu (Best Feature Film in Kannada) in 2022. This project holds a special significance for the Puraniks as it involved a collaboration between father and son; Suneel directed the film while Sagar served as the producer. Sagar expressed that while the award is a great honor, it will take some time for its impact to fully register. Suneel, reflecting on his 37-year career, emphasized that his focus has always been on preserving and documenting traditional practices for future generations, rather than seeking accolades. The duo discussed their passion for showcasing cultural heritage through their work, citing their upbringing as a key influence in selecting projects like Dollu, Ranga Vaibhoga, and their upcoming film, Venkya. Sagar highlighted their deep cultural roots in north Karnataka as a driving force behind their exploration of unique and unexplored themes, differentiating their films from mainstream commercial fare. They aim to offer fresh and authentic content that celebrates their heritage and resonates with audiences looking for something distinct."We aim to integrate cultural influences into our project delivery," states Sagar. One of the key obstacles in producing such films is securing investment, with the goal being to simply break even rather than turning a profit. Another challenge is finding technicians who share our vision and values. Sagar Puranik reflects on collaborating with his son, acknowledging their contrasting approaches and perspectives. Despite frequent disagreements, they ultimately reconcile knowing that their intentions for the project are aligned. Their familiarity with each other's strengths and weaknesses allows them to effectively collaborate, with clear role divisions on set and a mutual understanding of each other's space. Suneel Puranik recalls the gratifying experience of receiving congratulations from people in the community after an award announcement, likening it to a special honor.