Kamal Haasan praises director K. Viswanath

Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan on Monday said Indians are lucky to have filmmaker K. Vishwanath, who was recently conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the country’s highest award in cinema.

“My K. Viswanath gaaru is a Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner. In his humility, he would say I am lucky. Truth is Indians are lucky. So am I,” he tweeted.

Winner of multiple Indian National Awards, Vishwanath has directed 50 films, known for their strong content, endearing narrative, honest handling and cultural authenticity.

Haasan and Viswanath worked together in memorable Telugu films such as Swati Mutyam and Sagara Sangamam.

For his performance in Sagara Sangamam, Haasan won the Filmfare Award for best actor.

“Thank you with glistening eyes Viswanath gaaru for Sagara Sangamam. Like Balu of Sagara Sangamam, I initiate more applause. Your fame is mine and vice versa,” he added.

The National Award winning drama Swati Mutyam (The White Pearl) was India’s official entry to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category in 1987.