BANGALORE: Sandalwood lavished some fulsome on V K Murthy, the 87-year-old cinematographer, who has been selected for the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, 2008.
Director Babu said that he was lucky to work with a great person like Murthy. “I want to make a point here.
Kannada Film Award Selection Committee failed to recognise Murthy’s talent when he worked for ‘Hoovu Hannu’.
It was very unfortunate that such people, who do not even know basics about cinematography, were on the selection committee those days.
Murthy had not only worked for Kannada film Hoovu Hannu directed by S V Rajendra Singh Babu, but had also played a small character role. Murthy told mediapersons he was very happy to get the award. “Most of the Bollywood heroines used to compliment me for showing them more beautiful on the screen than they were in real life.” My first and last Kannada film was `Hoovu Hannu’.
Later I was not in a position to continue in films due to some reasons,’’ said Murthy with a smile.
S. Ramachandra, president, Kannada Cinematographers’ Association, called Murthy his inspiration. “ His achievement in cinematography will certainly inspire us all,’’ said Ramachandra.
Murthy started his career with Guru Dutt’s Baazi in 1951 and worked in many of Dutt’s films.
He also shot Shyam Benegal’s epic 'Bharat Ek Khoj'.