Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep has gracefully declined the Best Actor award for his performance in the 2019 sports drama Pailwaan. This announcement comes a day after the Karnataka State Film Awards revealed him as the winner in the prestigious category.
Taking to social media platform X, Sudeep expressed his gratitude to the jury and the Karnataka government for the recognition but reiterated his decision to step away from receiving awards, a practice he has adhered to for years due to personal reasons.
“It is truly a privilege to have received the state award under the best actor category, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the respected jury for this honor,” Sudeep wrote. “However, I must express that I have chosen to stop receiving awards for several years now, a decision made for various personal reasons that I intend to uphold.”
The actor emphasized his belief that other deserving artists, who have passionately dedicated themselves to their craft, should receive the recognition. He added that the acknowledgment itself was a great honor, motivating him to continue striving for excellence in his work.
“There are many deserving actors who have poured their hearts into their craft and would appreciate this prestigious recognition far more than I would. It will only make me happier to see one of them receiving it. My dedication to entertaining people has always been without the expectation of awards, and this acknowledgment from the jury alone serves as a significant boost for me to continue striving for excellence,” Sudeep said in his post.
Apologizing to the jury and the state government, he said, “I am grateful to every jury member for selecting me, as this recognition is, in itself, my reward. I sincerely apologize to the jury members and the state government for any disappointment my decision may cause, and I trust you will respect my choice and support me on the path I have chosen.”
This isn’t the first time Sudeep has declined a prestigious accolade. In August 2022, he turned down an honorary doctorate from Tumakuru University, stating that his contributions were not significant enough to warrant such recognition. At the time, he highlighted the often-overlooked efforts of individuals working to better society.
The Karnataka State Film Awards for 2019, delayed by five years due to the pandemic, announced winners across various categories. Notable winners include Anupama Gowda as Best Actor-Female, V Harikrishna for Best Music, Raghu Dixit for Best Singer-Male, and Jayadevi Jangamashetty for Best Singer-Female. Meanwhile, awards for films from 2020 to 2024 are yet to be announced.