The Dadasaheb Phalke Award in the Best Child Artist category has been presented to Sukriti Veni Bandreddi, the daughter of maverick director Sukumar and Tabitha Sukumar. The award was presented for her impeccable performance in the social message film, 'Gandhi Thatha Chettu', in which she played the lead role. The award was conferred at a ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Sukriti is currently studying in Grade 8 at the International School of Hyderabad. The film has been screened and awarded at many international film festivals in the past. At the Dubai International Film Festival and the Indian Film International Festival, Sukriti won awards in the Best Debutante Child Artist category. The film also won the Best Picture Award at the 11th Noida International Film Festival, Jury Best Film and Best Regional Film at the New Delhi Film Festival, Jury Best Film at the Jaipur International Film Festival and at the 8th Indian World Film Festival. The makers said that it was a privilege that Sukriti has attained many accolades.
Apart from these, the film is receiving invitations from many more international film festivals for screening. This message-driven film, which has been screened with the main objective of environmental protection, has been produced by leading production companies Mythri Movie Makers, Sukumar Writings and Gopi Talkies. Naveen Yerneni, Y Ravi Shankar and Sesha Sindhu Rao are its producers. The film is directed by Padmavathi Malladi and Tabitha Sukumar is its presenter. More details about the film will be made official soon.