Bhubaneswar, Aug 2: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the teams behind the Odia films Puskara and The Sea and Seven Villages, both of which secured prestigious accolades at the 71st National Film Awards.
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‘Puskara’ bags best Odia Feature Film
Directed by Subhransu Das, Puskara was awarded the Best Odia Film in the feature film category. The film is an adaptation of the celebrated Odia novel Nadabindu by Shankar Tripathy and traces the life of its protagonist, Neelakantha, through childhood, youth, and ultimately, death.
Lauding the film’s creative excellence, CM Majhi remarked that Puskara was a fine example of Odia storytelling rooted in rich literary tradition. He expressed hope that the Odia film industry would continue to produce many more original and impactful films in the coming years.
‘The Sea and Seven Villages’ Wins in Non-Feature Category
In the non-feature film category, The Sea and Seven Villages, a poignant documentary directed by Himansu Khatua, clinched the Best Odia Film award. The film delves into the real-life struggles of residents in Satabhaya a cluster of villages in Kendrapada district facing the harsh consequences of climate change and coastal erosion.
Acknowledging the achievement, the Chief Minister praised the filmmakers for shedding light on crucial environmental issues affecting the state. “Such creative efforts not only highlight important stories but also raise awareness on challenges confronting our people,” he said.
CM Majhi further encouraged Odia filmmakers to explore new subjects and cinematic techniques, emphasising that bold and meaningful experiments could propel the industry to greater heights.
The dual recognition at the National Film Awards is being hailed as a proud moment for Odisha’s cultural and cinematic landscape.
