Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa inaugurates Dasara Film Festival 2025

The film industry, through the medium of cinema, has shaped the lives of Indians in myriad ways and earned popularity as a creative field through music and literature, said Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa here on Saturday.

Dr. Mahadevappa, Minister in charge of Mysuru district, inaugurated the Dasara Film Festival 2025, which is dedicated to actor B. Saroja Devi, who passed away recently.

Paying tributes to the late actor, Dr. Mahadevappa described her as a superstar among female actors in South India and as someone who had achieved great fame and success at both national and international levels.

Through her subtle portrayal of characters in Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi films, Saroja Devi won the admiration of the public and it was in the fitness of things that it was decided to confer the Karnataka Ratna award on her, along with Vishnuvardhan, Dr. Mahadevappa said.

“We have a duty to perpetuate the memory and legacy of achievers for their contribution in shaping the conduct of society through their work,” the Minister added.

Dr. Mahadevappa said that Dasara was a festival that projects the unity of India, and the celebration itself stands as a proof of that. He also extolled the contribution made by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar to popularise Dasara.

Actor Prithvi Ambar described the Dasara as a festival that symbolises the victory of good over evil. ‘’Mysuru is steeped in history and culturally rich, and is always close to my heart,” said the actor.

The film festival is about bringing cinemas to the audience and usher in changes in the society, and it was for the viewers to absorb the positive messages conveyed in a movie, Mr. Ambar added.

Playback singer Jaskaran Singh entertained the audience by rendering a song from the film Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi.

Various artists and directors who had contributed to the film industry’s growth through their work were felicitated at the event. Sandhya Arakere, actor; Pushpa Amaranath, Vice-Chairperson of Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority; Tanveer Sait, MLA for Narasimharaja; T. S. Srivatsa, MLA for Krishnaraja; and D. Thimmaiah, MLC; were among those present.

The films will be screened from September 14 to 20 at three screens of INOX Cinemas, Mall of Mysore. In all, 84 films will be screened during the festival. There will also be a photography exhibition from September 14 to 18 at the INOX Cinema precincts.