Kannada feature film Shivamma wins 'New Currents Award' at Busan Film Festival

While receiving the award on the international platform, Jaishankar started the speech in Kannada with a Namaskara. Speaking about it, he said, “I was there as a representative of Karnataka and Kannada and I am proud of my language. So, I started my speech in Kannada.”

“I also had my own fanboy moment after meeting my favourites like director Anurag Kashyap, and actors Adil Hussain and Nandita Das. Getting to know them personally over dinner was indeed one of my favourite moments from the festival,” he added.

The Busan jury, which included world-renowned film experts, praised Jaishankar and Shivamma for film's “originality and intensity”. In a note shared on the festival website, the jury said: “Here, documentary and fiction meet in an organic and spirited way of making cinema. The generosity of the actors and the scenes create closeness with this universal story that takes place in an Indian village.”

Produced by Rishab Shetty, the film revolves around a government school cook Shivamma, her family, and her multi-level marketing business.