Kannada film
Mithya has emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 72nd National Film Awards , bagging three honours—Best Kannada Film, Best Child Artist for Athish Shetty, and Best Supporting Actress for Roopa Shree. For director Sumanth Bhat, the recognition is not just a celebration of the film, but also validation after a long and challenging journey to find audiences.




'I'm happy that Roopa Shree's work was recognised'



While the Best Kannada Film win was expected, Sumanth tells
Bangalore Times that the acting honours came as a surprise. "It took a while for it to sink in; I did not expect the film to bag three awards. Because I was somewhere only hoping that Athish would get the recognition for his phenomenal performance. For an 11-year-old boy to play a role that complex and do it so well, I knew he would be recognised," he says.



The award that brought him the greatest joy, however, was Roopa Shree's Best Supporting Actress win. "Supporting actors give a film its texture, and I'm happy that nuance was recognised.” Sumanth believes supporting performances are often overlooked in the industry. "We tend to think supporting roles are easier because actors come in for a few scenes and leave. But they form the world of the film. They give it texture. We also end up typecasting actors, especially in the Kannada film inudstry, instead of challenging them with different roles. I'm so happy Roopa Shree's work was recognised."




‘I want people to watch the film with an open mind’




Mithya had a modest theatrical run, but Sumanth hopes the National Awards will help more people discover the film. "Initially you're disappointed when people don't come to theatres, but eventually you make peace with how the system works. Right now, I'm just happy that this recognition will make more people aware of the film. That's why we make films—for people to watch them, beyond commerce and numbers."



He also hopes audiences don't approach the film with preconceived notions. "I don't want people to think of it as an 'award film' or a 'festival film'. There's space for every kind of cinema. Just watch it with an open mind and see where the film takes you emotionally."




‘Cinema is commerce first and art later’



Despite advocating for more independent cinema, Sumanth says filmmaking has made him more pragmatic. "If
Mithya had simply recovered its tiny budget, I would have considered it a huge success."



"Before making the film, I would have said production houses should take more risks. But after going through the process, I realise cinema is commerce first and art later. I don't blame producers for being sceptical."



He credits a few Kannada filmmakers and producers such as Rakshit Shetty , Rishab Shetty, Raj B Shetty and Dhananjaya for backing unconventional stories despite the financial risks. "As long as films like these become commercially viable—not necessarily profitable—more people will back them. If a small film made on a tiny budget struggles to recover its cost, then we also need to introspect about what's wrong with the ecosystem."




‘Awards like these give you validation, not pressure’



Rather than feeling burdened by the three National Awards, Sumanth says they have eased years of self-doubt. "There's always self-doubt because people tell you they liked your film, but that doesn't translate into numbers. An award like this gives you validation that you're on the right path."



His next film,
Shankarabharana, starring Shine Shetty, he says is consciously more mainstream. "The experience of
Mithya taught me that audiences shouldn't have to take all 10 steps towards your film. You also need to take a couple of steps towards them. Mainstream cinema can still be thoughtful, and that's the space I'm trying to explore."