Mangaluru: Athish S. Shetty, a student of St Aloysius Pre-University College, has been honoured with the Best Child Artist award at the 72nd National Film Awards for his performance in the Kannada feature film Mithya.
The award, announced by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, recognises Athish’s performance in the critically acclaimed film directed by Sumanth Bhat and produced by Paramvah Studios, founded by actor-producer Rakshit Shetty.
Mithya also won the Best Kannada Feature Film award, while Roopashree Varkady received the Best Supporting Actress award, making it one of the most honoured Kannada films at this year’s National Film Awards.
Journey from local cinema to national recognition
Reflecting on his achievement, Athish said acting was not initially his career ambition. His interest in cinema developed after watching local productions, and he drew inspiration from Tulu actor Arjun Kapikad and South Indian actor Thalapathy Vijay.
At just 15 years of age, Athish has already acted in 21 Kannada and Tulu films. Earlier, he received the Karnataka State Award for Best Child Actor for his performance in the film Cake.
Intensive preparation for Mithya
Athish said his role in Mithya required extensive preparation. After appearing in the web series Ekam, he was recommended for auditions for the film.
Following three rounds of auditions, director Sumanth Bhat selected him for the lead role. He then underwent a month-long acting workshop to prepare for the emotionally demanding character.
Athish expressed gratitude to the director for his guidance and acknowledged the encouragement he received from co-actors Prakash Thuminadu and Roopashree Varkady during the filming.
He also said sharing screen space with his younger brother, Avish S. Shetty, who portrayed his on-screen sibling, made the experience particularly memorable. Recalling the shoot, he fondly remembered cycling away between scenes, often leaving the film crew searching for him along the coastal locations.
Excelling in academics and sports
The son of Satish Shetty, an employee of MRPL, and Bharathi Shetty, a lecturer, Athish has also distinguished himself in sports.
A five-time national-level kickboxing medallist, he continues to train in boxing while balancing his acting career with academics.
Looking ahead, Athish said he hopes to build a successful career in cinema while continuing his education. He is currently preparing for the medical entrance examination and credited his achievements to the unwavering support of his parents, teachers, classmates, and especially his mother.
College congratulates award winner
Congratulating Athish on the national recognition, the management, Principal, faculty members, and students of St Aloysius Pre-University College described the honour as a matter of immense pride for the institution.
They wished him continued success in both his academic and artistic pursuits and expressed confidence that he would achieve many more milestones in the future.
