Out of 118 films in the contest for selection to the Indian Panorama Section for this International Film Festival in Goa ‘Bettada Jeeva’ national award winning film as best environmental film and special mention for the story of Jnanapith Award winner Dr Shivarama Karanth has been chosen.

Last year four Kannada films were selected but this year it is only one representation from Kannada filmdom.

‘Bettada Jeeva’ directed by P Seshadri and produced by Basanthkumar Patil. HG Dattatreya, Rameshwari Verma, Suchendra Prasad, Lakshmi Hegde and others are in the cast.

It is Basanth Productions, Screenplay, Direction – P Seshadri, Music – V Manohar, Cinematography – Ananth Urs,

What is all about ‘BETTADA JEEVA’ - Set in the pre independence time this film is about the long wait of aged parents for the return of their son Shambu who is indulged in the freedom movement in Bombay (now Mumbai). Shivaramu (Suchendra Prasad) escaping from British law because he is active in freedom movement losing his way reaches the house of Gopalaiah (HG Dattatreya) and his wife Shankari (Rameshwari Verma) in Kelabailu that is situated in the thick of forest. As it is customary practice in the house of Gopalaiah to treat the strangers with respect and hospitality Shivaramu gets facility to stay. In his stay Shivaramu accidentally says he knows Mumbai. That is enough for the aged Shankari to inquire about her son. The hospitality further increases for Shivaramu who is forced to take it.

Shivaramu is treated almost on the lines how their son is treated by Gopala Bhat and Shankari. The emergence of Shivaramu at this place and he promising to find the son of the aged couple is a depressing issue for another couple Narayana and Lakshmi residing at Katumule under the aegis of Gopala Bhat. The couple now in distress looking after the agricultural lands of Gopalaiah wants to know what happens to their situation once Gopala Bhat son comes back. Shivaramu is inquired on this issue and he comes up with satisfactory reply from Gopala Bhat.