The Karnataka State film awards for 2020 were announced on Monday. Prajwal Devaraj and Akshatha Pandavapura were named the best actors in the male and female categories, respectively.

Prajwal won the award for his performance in Gentleman, directed by Jadesh Kumar Hampi. Akshatha clinched the honour for her effort in the social thriller Pinki Elli, directed by Prithvi Konanur.

Actor Sanchari Vijay, known for his films such as Naanu Avanalla Avalu… (2015), Nathicharami (2018), and Taledanda (2021), was posthumously awarded the Special Jury Award. Vijay passed away in a motorbike accident on June 15, 2021. The State awards selection committee was led by national award winning filmmaker B.S. Lingadevaru.