Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: In a moment of pride for Odisha’s film industry, Pushkara has been honored with the Best Odia Feature Film award at the 71st National Film Awards. The prestigious ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan, where President Droupadi Murmu presented the esteemed award.

Produced by Tarang Cine Productions, Pushkara is based on the renowned Odia novel Nadabindu by Sankar Tripathy. Directed by Subhranshu Das, the film features prominent actors Sabyasachi Mishra and Supriya Nayak in lead roles. Set against the spiritual and cultural backdrop of Puri, the film delves into themes of love, tradition, and cultural identity, highlighting significant rituals like Sahi Jata, Kartika Purnima, and Boita Bandana.

Director Subhranshu Das was honored with the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus Award) and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for his outstanding contribution to Odia cinema. This recognition marks a significant achievement for the Odia film industry, bringing it to the national spotlight.