Film Critic, Filmmaker KNT Sastry No More

Film critic and filmmaker KNT Sastry passed away today. He was 73. Born on September 5, 1945, Sastry has won Seven National Awards across categories-- Film Critic, Film Book Publisher, Film Book Writer, Best Documentary, Best First Film, Best Film and Best Regional Film awards.

Born in KGF, Karnataka Sastry has worked in various capacities in different newspapers. He started work in films with documentary film on nomad theatre group Surabhi. He has made films including Tiladaanam, Kamli, Sarasammana Salado, Shanu. He was the recipient of 12 international awards including Best Film for Tiladaanam at Pusan International Film Festival, the film won 7 international awards and travelled 45 festivals.

All his films have travelled widely in festival circuit. His famous documentary Harvesting Baby Girls on girl child trafficking in Telangana went on to win Audience Award at Amsterdam Documentary festival.

He has also written English monograph books on Chittoor V. Nagaiah, Bhanumati Ramakrishna, LV Prasad, Nagi Reddy -Chakrapani.

His Telugu book on Alanati Chalana Chitram is widely read.