Bangalore: Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar and famous heroine and a member of the Lok Sabha Ramya have been selected for the best actor and best actress awards by the state government.

The awards were announced by the Information minister Santosh Lad for the year 2010-2011.

Veteran film director Bhargava has been named for the prestigious Puttanna Kanagal award for the lifetime achievement. Veteran actor S Shivaram has been selected for the Dr. Rajkumar award.

The late Vishnuvardhan award has gone to his close friend and Karnataka Housing minister Ambareesh. These awards carry a cash reward of Rs.2 lakh and a gold plated plaque. Awards will be presented in November.

Puneeth Rajkumar has got the award for his box office hit film ‘Jockey’ and Ramya has got it for ‘Sanju Weds Geetha’.