Actor-director Suneel Puranik was honored with the prestigious National Award on Tuesday evening for his documentary film "Ranga Vaibhoga" (2022). The film delves into the tradition of temple dance in Karnataka and won in the Best Arts/Culture Film category. This marks the third National Award for the Puranik family. Suneel's son, Sagar Puranik, previously received national awards for "Mahaan Hutatma" (Special Mention Award) and "Dollu" (Best Feature Film in Kannada) in 2019 and 2022, respectively. The collaboration on "Ranga Vaibhoga" holds special significance for the Puraniks as it brought the father-son duo together, with Suneel directing and Sagar producing the film.
Sagar, who accompanied Suneel to New Delhi for the award ceremony, shared his excitement, mentioning that it might take some time for the achievement to sink in. Suneel, reflecting on his 37-year career in the industry, emphasized that his focus has always been on preserving fading traditions through his work, rather than seeking awards. The Puraniks also discussed their commitment to showcasing culture through their projects, drawing inspiration from their upbringing in culturally rich north Karnataka.
Sagar highlighted that their cultural origins drive them towards projects like "Dollu," "Ranga Vaibhoga," and their upcoming film "Venkya." Their goal is to present Indian culture authentically and uniquely, focusing on unexplored roots. By exploring themes that are deeply rooted in their heritage, the Puraniks aim to offer fresh and distinctive content to audiences seeking new narratives beyond conventional genres like love stories or commercial entertainers."We aim to deliver our project with a strong cultural foundation," says Sagar. The primary obstacle faced in creating such films is securing investment. Breaking even, rather than generating profits, is the main concern. Additionally, a challenge lies in finding technicians who share similar viewpoints.
Sagar Puranik reflects on the unique dynamics of working with his father: "Collaborating on a project as father and son is no easy task, as our approaches and perspectives often differ greatly." Despite frequent disagreements and periods of silence, they always come back together with a shared understanding of wanting the best for the project.
Understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses, the father-son duo leverages this knowledge for successful collaborations. They respect each other's roles on set, maintaining a supportive yet hands-off approach towards each other's work.
After receiving an award, Suneel Puranik was touched by the community's warm congratulations during his routine morning walks near his home, making him feel truly honored.