The power star Puneeth Rajakumar for his wonderful underplay in 'Milana' Kannada film and veteran actress Umasri's solid performance in 'Gulabi Talkies' earns the best actor and actress award at the Karnataka State Film Awards announced by the Karnataka Information Minister Khatta Subramanya Naidu for 2007-2008 on Sunday evening.

In the Karnataka state film awards to be held in Shimoga sometime in February 2009 – Gulabi Talkies, Moggina Jade and Mathad Mathadu Mallige Kannada films receive the first, second and third best film awards.

Dr.Vishnuvardhana receives the Dr.Rajakumar award, Smt.Parvathamma Rajakumar gets the lifetime achievement and veteran Renuka Sharma receives the Puttanna Kanagal award. All the three prominent awards carries cash prize of Rs.2 lakhs.

But as of now producer of Dr.Vishnuvardhana, Suhasini Manirathnam and Sudeep starring 'Mathad Mathadu Mallige' – K.Manju has decided to reject the Karnataka state award on the grounds of wrong positioning of his film. 'My film is much better than the 'Gulabi Talkies' and 'Moggina Jade'. So I am not ready to accept the third place for my film says producer K.Manju.

Similar protest is made by Agni Sridhar whose film 'Aa Dinagalu' was awarded the best dialogue. Besides this 'Aa Dingalu' has won awards in the best cinematography for HC Venu and best dubbing artist for Sudarshan.

With controversy kicking up on the one side the lobbying done to secure the awards is seriously discussed in the media. Two of the committee members staged a strong protest for the wrong placement of first three categories. Finally by voting the awards had to be declared for the first, second and third best films.

The list of other awards for 2007-2008 Karnataka State Films are as follows:

• Best Actor – Puneeth Rajakumar – Milana
• Best Actress – Umasri – Gulabi Talkies
• Best Supp. Actor – Rajesh – Moggina Jade
• Best Supp. Actress – Smitha – Avva
• Best Dubbing – Sudarshan – Aa Dinagalu
• Best Dubbing – female – Champa Shetty – Kurunadu
• Best story – Late P Lankesh – Avva
• Best Screenplay – Girish Kasaravalli - Gulabi Talkies
• Best Dialogues – Agni Sridhar – Aa Dinagalu
• Best Cameraman – H.C.Venu - Aa Dinagalu
• Best Music – Sadhu Kokila – Inthi Ninna Preethiya
• Best Singer – Male – Dr.SPB – Ninadhe Ninadhe Nenapu – Savi Savi Nenapu
• Best Singer Female – Vaanu – Madhubana Karedhare…. Inthi Ninna Preethiya
• Best Sound Recording – N Kumar, Accident film
• Best Editing – Suresh Urs – Savi Savi Nenapu
• Best Child Actor – Master Likith – Naanu Gandhi
• Best Child Actor – female – Baby Prakruthi – Gubbachchigalu
• Best Art Direction – G Murthy – Kurunadu
• Best Lyricist – Gollahalli Shivaprasad – Jhana Jhana Kanchanadalli….
Mathad Mathadu Mallige
• Best Regional Cinema – Birse (Thulu)