Odisha has every reason to celebrate after the announcement of the 72nd National Film Awards, as the state’s cinema and creative talent earned prestigious recognition on the national stage. The awards, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, honoured outstanding Indian films certified during 2024 and once again highlighted the growing strength of regional cinema. For Odisha, the biggest moment came when “Lahari” was declared the Best Odia Feature Film, while renowned Odia sound designer Manas Choudhury received the National Award for Best Sound Design for the Bollywood blockbuster Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. These achievements mark another proud chapter in Odisha’s contribution to Indian cinema.
‘Lahari’ Wins Best Odia Feature Film
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Amartya Bhattacharyya and produced by actor-producer Jhilik Bhattacharjee, Lahari won the National Award for Best Odia Feature Film. The film had already created waves on the international festival circuit before earning India’s highest recognition in cinema. Known for its artistic storytelling, visual richness and emotional depth, Lahari represents a new generation of Odia filmmaking that is gaining appreciation beyond regional boundaries. One of the most remarkable aspects of the film is its international collaboration. Reports state that Lahari features artists and technicians from 15 countries, making it one of the most ambitious projects ever produced in the Odia language while remaining deeply rooted in Odisha’s culture and storytelling traditions.
A Proud Moment for Director Amartya Bhattacharyya
Amartya Bhattacharyya has long been recognised for experimenting with meaningful cinema and presenting Odisha’s stories through a contemporary cinematic language. With Lahari receiving the National Award, his contribution to Odia cinema receives nationwide recognition. The honour is expected to encourage more filmmakers to invest in content-driven cinema that balances artistic vision with global appeal.
Manas Choudhury Wins National Award for Best Sound Design
Another major reason for Odisha’s celebration is the achievement of Manas Choudhury, who won the National Film Award for Best Sound Design for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Sound design is one of the most technically demanding aspects of filmmaking. It shapes atmosphere, suspense, emotion and the overall cinematic experience. Winning a National Award in this category is considered one of the highest recognitions for technical excellence in Indian cinema. Manas Choudhury’s achievement reflects the growing influence of Odia professionals not only in regional cinema but also in mainstream Hindi films.
Major Winners at the 72nd National Film Awards
Apart from Odisha’s success, several leading Indian films and artists received top honours. Some of the biggest winners include:
- Best Feature Film: Article 370
- Best Actor (Joint): Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion)
- Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370)
- Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran)
The awards showcased the diversity of Indian cinema, recognising excellence across feature films, regional cinema and technical categories.
A New Era for Odia Cinema
The National Award for Lahari once again proves that Odia cinema is steadily earning national and international recognition. In recent years, Odia films have increasingly participated in global film festivals while exploring fresh storytelling styles, stronger production values and meaningful themes. Such recognition not only honours filmmakers but also motivates young artists, technicians and producers to pursue ambitious projects.
Similarly, Manas Choudhury’s recognition demonstrates that Odia talent is making a significant impact in India’s mainstream film industry, particularly in highly specialised technical fields.
What This Means for Odisha
National Film Awards are considered the highest official recognition in Indian cinema. When Odisha receives honours in both a regional film category and a major technical category, it sends a strong message that the state’s creative ecosystem is growing in quality and reach. For aspiring filmmakers, actors, writers, editors and technicians from Odisha, these achievements serve as inspiration that excellence in storytelling and technical craftsmanship can earn recognition at the highest level.
Disclaimer
Odisha Katha is an independent entertainment and infotainment platform. This article is prepared using officially announced award information and credible public sources. Our aim is to present accurate, responsible and reader-friendly content. If any official update or correction is issued by the concerned authorities, this article will be updated accordingly.
