FOR Gollapudi Maruthi Rao and his family, August 12 is a day of painful memories. This was the day their son Srinivas Rao, a budding director, died on the sets of his first film, ‘Prema Pusthakam’. Srinivas was only 26 then.
To commemorate Srinivas’ death, the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Foundation was founded by Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, the noted Telugu actor, writer and director. Every year on August 12, the foundation presents a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakh to the ‘Best Debut Director’ of the year. This year, the award for the best debutant director goes to Paresh Mokashi for his film Harishchandrachi Factory in Marathi. It was selected from 19 nominations received from across the country. “It is a salute to great talent,” says Subbarao, the brother of Srinivas Rao.
Harishchandrachi Factory is a period film (1911) about the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke. The film poignantly portrays how Dadasaheb made India’s first feature film Raja Harishchandra.
Acclaimed Bollywood actor Rekha will be the chief guest at the ceremony where the award will be presented to Paresh Mokashi. The young starlet Shruti Hassan will be the host and famous singer K J Yesudas will enthral the audience with his soulful voice.
A screening of a film by Rajeev Menon on Srinivas’ Rao life will follow the concert. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Nagesh Kukunnor will be the guests of honour.
