‘Lahari’ Wins National Award for Best Odia Film; Director Hopes Award Inspires Meaningful Cinema

Bhubaneswar: Acclaimed Odia film Lahari has won the National Award for Best Odia Film at the 72nd National Film Awards for 2024, the winners of which were announced on Friday. The recognition marks a significant milestone for Odia cinema and for filmmaker Amartya Bhattacharyya, who has received his second National Award and his first for an Odia feature.

Directed by Amartya Bhattacharyya, Lahari is an evocative tale of friendship, fatherhood and self-discovery, set against the breathtaking eco-tourism landscapes of Odisha. The film explores emotional bonds and personal transformation while reflecting on changing social realities through striking visuals and immersive storytelling.

Produced by Jhilik Bhattacharjee under the banner of Jhilik Motion Pictures, the film features Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, Choudhury Bikash Das, Dipanwit Dashmohapatra, child artiste Smruti Ranjan Mahala, Susant Misra, Swastik Choudhury and Zeinab Doer in pivotal roles. The music has been composed by Kisaloy Roy, with vocals by Gaurav Anand and Navya Jaity, while sound design is by Anindit Roy and Adeep Singh Manki. Bhattacharyya also wrote the story and lyrics, besides handling the cinematography and editing.

Expressing his happiness over the honour, Bhattacharyya said the award was particularly special as it was his first National Award for an Odia film. “This is my second National Award, but it is the first for an Odia film, which makes it especially meaningful. Although I am not from an Odia background, I came to Odisha, developed a deep affection for the language and culture, and chose to make Odia films with the hope of contributing to meaningful cinema in the state.”

The filmmaker said Lahari was created out of passion rather than commercial considerations and hoped the recognition would encourage more filmmakers to pursue content-driven cinema. “I regularly watch world cinema, which inspires me to experiment and bring fresh ideas to the films I make. This award is very special because films like Lahari are not made for commercial success. Everyone associated with such projects works with the satisfaction of creating good cinema. I hope this recognition motivates more filmmakers and artists to make meaningful films.”

Reflecting on the film’s omission from the Odisha State Film Awards, Bhattacharyya said the National Award had reaffirmed the film’s artistic merit. “It was disappointing that Lahari did not receive a State Award, despite the appreciation it deserved. That felt strange at the time, but I believe this National Award has now answered those questions. Lahari never deserved the neglect it faced, and that was painful for me.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of the film’s cast and crew, singling out actor Choudhury Bikash Das and composer Kisaloy Roy for their work. “Choudhury Bikash Das delivered a historic performance in Lahari and truly deserved greater recognition. Kisaloy’s music was exceptional and played a vital role in the film.”

Calling the honour a source of renewed inspiration, the director added, “This National Award has renewed my confidence and motivated me to begin my next journey with fresh energy and determination.”