‘Lahari’ Brings National Recognition to Contemporary Odia Cinema.
Jajpur,24/09(PPT):Odia cinema received national recognition with Lahari being honoured with the Best Odia Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards. Directed by filmmaker Amartya Bhattacharyya and produced by actor-producer Jhilik Bhattacharjee under Jhilik Motion Pictures, the film received the prestigious Rajat Kamal at the National Film Awards ceremony held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on September 22, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the awards. The official citation lists Lahari as the Best Odia Film, with Jhilik Motion Pictures as producer and Amartya Bhattacharyya as director. Set against Odisha’s social and cultural landscape, the film explores human relationships, tradition, identity, family and the pressures arising from changing social and economic realities. Its narrative focuses on ordinary lives and rural communities, bringing the State’s landscape and social environment into the storytelling while examining the impact of rapid urbanisation, commercialisation and changing aspirations.
The award marks Bhattacharyya’s second National Award and his first such recognition for an Odia film, while for Jhilik Bhattacharjee, it is her first National Award and a significant milestone in her association with Odia cinema. The film, which has also received attention through international festival screenings, features artistes including Choudhury Jayaprakash Das and Choudhury Bikash Das. The recognition comes at a time when regional cinema is increasingly bringing locally rooted stories and diverse cultural experiences to wider audiences. Lahari’s success has placed an Odia-language narrative on the national stage and highlighted the contribution of Odisha’s filmmakers, artistes and technicians to Indian cinema, reinforcing the scope for stories rooted in local communities and landscapes to travel beyond linguistic and geographical boundaries.
Jhilik Bhattacharjee, Producer& Actor
Speaking after receiving the Best Odia Film award, producer Jhilik Bhattacharjee described the occasion as an emotional and memorable milestone in her journey with Odisha and its film industry. She thanked the people of Odisha and the country for embracing Lahari, and acknowledged the contribution of the film’s artistes, technicians and director Amartya Bhattacharyya. “At that moment, I was holding an award, but in my heart, I was holding an entire journey,” she said, adding that the honour was a proud moment not only for her but for everyone who believes in meaningful storytelling and the growth of Odia cinema.
Former Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai
Former Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai congratulated the entire team of Lahari on the film receiving the National Award for Best Odia Film. He said the recognition was a proud moment for Odisha and its film fraternity and acknowledged the efforts of the artistes, director Amartya Bhattacharyya, producer Jhilik Bhattacharjee and the technicians associated with the film. He said the honour would further encourage filmmakers to tell stories rooted in Odisha’s culture, society and people and help Odia cinema gain wider recognition at the national level.
Former Minister Priti Ranjan Ghadai
Former Minister Priti Ranjan Ghadai congratulated the team of Lahari on winning the National Award for Best Odia Film, describing the recognition as a proud moment for Odisha and its film industry. He said the honour reflected the talent, dedication and hard work of the film’s director, producer, artistes and technicians and would encourage a new generation of filmmakers to tell stories rooted in Odisha’s culture, society and people. He extended his best wishes to the entire Lahari team and said the national recognition would further strengthen the identity of Odia cinema on the wider Indian film landscape.
Akhil Pattnaik, Odia film actor
Odia film actor Akhil Pattnaik congratulated the entire team of Lahari on winning the National Award for Best Odia Film. He said the recognition was a proud moment for the Odia film industry and reflected the dedication and creative efforts of the artistes, director, producer and technicians associated with the film. He expressed hope that the national recognition would encourage more filmmakers to create meaningful Odia films and take stories rooted in Odisha to wider audiences.