To hell with modesty, I wish I was 40 years younger, and I was just beginning, so that I could compete for this award; and believe me when I say, I am also a little jealous of Leslie Carvalho.

It is a fantastic thing that Maruthi Rao and his family thought of telling an innovative filmmaker:”Look, you are wanted, you are loved by us, we value your work, continue, we give you the strength”. That is exactly what this foundation is doing.

I thank you for making me a part of this wonderful metamorphosis, of a personal tragedy being transformed into a celebration of life.

I felt so proud that we have a father in our country who makes his son live on, through the recognition accorded to others, thereby accomplishing that unfulfilled ambition, through the genius of other young people. It is a flow like a river- and it keeps on flowing.

I was swept away by the sincerity, the dignity and the grace with which the entire function was conducted. After we returned to our room, my wife and I wept like children, not a word was spoken. It was too overwhelming.

This gathering has not been a revolution, or a breakthrough, but it has shown us how to cope up with sorrow, it has shown us to subtly shift from the ground-shaking aftermath of shock to constructive, meaningful living. It has shown us how to be sentimental and sensible at the same time, without one attribute contradicting the other. In short, it has set an example………..of living

-Dr.M. Madhavi B.A.M.S, An audience

It is heartening to note that such a foundation has been instituted to promote good cinema from debutants.

All Art and Music is inevitably linked to life burns, and our work on the celluloid represents our escape from pain.

This award is a beautiful gesture. This evening is a paradox, as the family celebrates the loss without sadness.

He (Maruthi Rao) has forgotten that ruthless wave, and he is probably looking forward to the new wave, which will bring many more directors like Shyama Prasad.

Cruel destiny has taken away so many youngsters from our midst. If only they had been alive, they would have achieved divine heights.

I will always cherish this warm welcome to the world of cinema; this award is meaningful as the filmed image consists mankind’s only victory over death.

The award and the manner in which it is given makes the event a pathbreaker, in the sense, that it is a positive and constructive way of honouring someone’s memory. There is an understated elegance to the way the glitterati of the film world gather willingly every year in recognition of creativity in cinema.

It’s a unique honour that every newcomer can aspire for and in that sense, this award provides the impetus for refreshing new cinema.

M.T.Vasudevan Nair

I congratulate the family for this gesture of providing a platform to newcomers…With the support of such foundations, Indian cinema gets enriched with promising filmmakers.

Dr.D.Ramanaidu M.P

It has been a cathartic experience…A tragedy has been transformed into a celebration. This award has a special significance in that it brings into focus the work of a newcomer.

I appreciate the family, the foundation, the thought and the hope for new cinema.

I can empathise with the loss of the family…and I am happy to be here today as we honour new cinema and the memory of Srinivas.

I am convinced that his (Srinivas’s) memory will inspire the young and talented to enrich our lives with new and meaningful creations.

The earnestness of a family to see the aspirations of their beloved one come true, accelerates the foundation to grow strong and steady.

I feel deeply touched that the family has tried to overcome their personal loss with imaginative empathy for young people, who remind them of Gollapudi Srinivas. He is still alive in young people of great artistic potential.

Dr.U.R Ananthamurthy

I think it is a wonderful way of immortalizing the love for a son. It has been a humbling experience. I wish I could recommend this as a Son’s Day, to be celebrated all over the world

It’s a wonderful gesture. The family has overcome the tragedy and have endeavoured to honour newcomers in whom they see their Srinivas. It is like passing on the torch. Keeping the flame alive. We reach to comfort, even as we laud their gesture.

This is probably the only podium in the global context, where a director is given the highest chair. Pages of the book of love (Prema Pustakam) opened by Srinivas will continue eternally. I congratulate the family.

I feel grateful to this foundation, for making it a dream debut for me.

Despite the presence of glittering stars like Nandita Das and Jaya Bachchan, the Award was an essay in simplicity.

Ms. Rinku Gupta, Indian Express

This foundation is doing a marvelous thing. The award, not only immortalizes Srinivas, it also gives a great deal of value to what he stood for and for the kind of films he would have made.

By honouring a debutant director in his son’s memory, the father brings into fore so many young talented filmmakers, and in that sense, it is a commendable gesture.

Usually a son immortalises a father. But here the father is immortalising his son…it is the father’s “PREMAPUSTAKAM” to his son…. Therefore it must be regarded as most valuable by the awardee.

An aspiring artist, who could not continue his journey, has been immortalised. I firmly believe that his spirit lives on, in every director who receives this award. The award goes a long way in encouraging new cinema.

Just as Shahjahan’s Taj was a frozen teardrop on the cheek of time, this is an amalgam of happiness with sadness. It is in the best of traditions.

It is a special award, because in this world it is rare that the first effort of a struggling youngster is recognized.

This has made an overwhelming difference to my life. It is significant in furthering the career of a young filmmaker. I hope that I shall live up to your aspirations.

I am overwhelmed by the purity of this award as this is probably the only award without any commercial interests attached to it.

This award is not only a testimony of a father’s love for his son, it is also a testimony of how that love inspires a noble vision.

You have defeated death; this young filmmaker is not dead. Every year he comes alive as a new director.

The family has ensured that Srinivas is always remembered by every one, every year………..This encourages the new directors.

It is a great idea……….This national award…………..I am glad to be a part of this endeavour.

Memory of this day is so special that I must and will continue with cinema…my second film will be because of this family.