Hemanth Rao Calls Out IIFA For 'Disrespect', Says 'Don't Need Your Award'; Siddharth Extends Support

Hemanth M Rao, an acclaimed Kannada director, has slammed IIFA 2024 for wasting his time being disrespectful during the award ceremony at IFFA Utsavam. Taking to his social media handle, the Sapta Sagaradaache Ello (Side A and Side B) director penned a long note, expressing his disappointment in attending the ceremony and making him wait till 3 AM without any award.

Hemanth Rao launches a scathing attack on IIFA 2024

Taking to his Instagram handle, he shared a statement, penning down his unpleasant experience of attending IIFA 2024. This year, the award show was in Abu Dhabi over the weekend, celebrating the movies in Bollywood, and other four south Indian industries - Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. The three-day award show started with IIFA Utsavam where South Indian films were honoured.

The director also attended the ceremony and hoped to win an award for Sapta Sagaradaache Ello (Side A and Side B), but it didn't pan out as expected. In his note, Hemanth wrote, "The whole IIFA experience was such a massive inconvenience and extremely disrespectful. I've been in this business for over a decade and this wasn't my first stint at award shows. It’s always been a case where the winners are flown in and hosted for the event. For context, I sat till 3 AM in the morning only to realize there was no award. The same happened to my music director, Charan Raj."

The director shared that he was not disappointed in losing an award to director Arun Sudhir but at the lack of transparency. "I haven't won MANY awards and haven’t lost sleep over it. If all the other nominees were invited and one winner emerged out of it. I wouldn’t bother getting irritated. Also, the format this year was just to hand out the award. The nominees weren't even mentioned," he added.

Hemanth Rao slams IIFA organisers

He further attacked the organisers of IIFA and reminded them that the award shows needed talent and not the other way around. “Maybe it’s been a while for you and your team to realize it. Your award shows run on the talent that you put on your stage. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I don't need your award to enjoy the best job in the world. Next time you need me on your stage... and TRUST ME...you will. Take your award and keep it where the sun doesn’t shine,” he added angrily.

In the comment section, the filmmaker clarified that he doesn't have any problem with fellow director Arun Sudhir winning the Best Director award in Kannada. "My best to him and his entire team. This is about wasting my time and energy."

Friends and industry extend support to Hemanth Rao

Soon after he dropped the post, Siddharth took to the comment section and wrote, "Sorry to know you and Charan had to go through this... disrespect towards artists at the hands of these middlemen will not end...but props to you for speaking out." A fan wrote, "We all know who paid Iifa for this...Seriously it was a circus...Malashree and her daughter performing. Jagapathy babu winning award for negative role. Harikrishna winning best music director."

"Appreciated Director.... Your Voice make real sense ... This is called the "GUTS and CAPACITY" of south side," wrote another.

Kannada director rose to fame following the success of his directorial debut Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu and went on to direct Sapta Saagaradaache Ello and Kavaludaari. He has also written the screenplay of Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Andhadhun.