OTTplay Awards 2023: Rakshit Shetty honoured for Poineering Contributions to New Wave Cinema

Rakshit Shetty's work as both an actor and filmmaker has ushered in a grand change in Kannada cinema and to recognise his achievements over the years, he was bestowed with the 'Pioneering Contributions to New Wave Cinema' honour at the OTTplay Awards 2023.

The 40-year-old actor personally received the award from OTTplay's co-founder Avinash Mudaliar at the awards event which was held in Mumbai on Sunday, October 29. Gracing the stage, Rakshit said, "Filmmaking is the best job in this world. I'd like to thank the audience of Karnataka who gave me a platform to make films, first of all. And no one person can bring in a new wave in an industry so, I would like to thank Pawan Kumar, Hemanth Rao, Raj B Shetty, Rishab Shetty and many other filmmakers who are part of this new wave. Thank you so much."

This is the second occurrence that a Kannada artist has been recognised at OTTplay for their work in pushing the envelope and helping cinema evolve as an art form. At the inaugural edition of the OTTplay Awards in 2022, Rishab Shetty and Raj B Shetty were honoured in the same category as Rakshit for their respective contributions to the new-wave Kannada cinema.

Also Read: OTTplay Awards 2022: If the credit of being a pioneer of a certain kind of film comes to me, I am glad, says Raj B Shetty 

Having made his debut as an actor a little over a decade ago, Rakshit Shetty burst into the scene with his lead role in Suni's Simple Aagi Ond Love Story. If that film allowed the audience to get a taste of his comic timing, the 2013 film Ulidavaru Kandanthe revealed that he dared to dream big as an artist. Rakshit wrote, directed and also starred in Ulidavaru Kandanthe which, over the years, has achieved cult status among fans and a spiritual sequel to the film is set to go on floors very soon. 

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Along with critical success, Rakshit Shetty also encountered overwhelming commercial triumph in the form of Kirik Party, a 2016 comedy-drama directed by Rishab Shetty. Rakshit would then become a highly sought-after actor in the industry but with his own production house, Paramavah Studios, now in the realm, he would take on more ambitious projects as both a producer and actor. 

The 2022 film 777 Charlie was not only a major box-office success as a 'pan-Indian' release but it also won critical praise from all over. The Kiranraj K film was adjudged the Best Kannada Film at the 69th National Film Awards. Rakshit Shetty has also produced and acted in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello and has been receiving accolades for his performance.

Also Read: Rakshit Shetty Exclusive | 'A hero like Manu, a film like Sapta Sagaradaache Ello feel relevant to the times we live in' 

OTTplay Awards 2023 was presented by Danube Properties alongside Dabur Chyawanprash and driven by Volkswagen, with Colors Infinity being the telecast partner.