THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JULY 18, 2026
Odia cinema has added
another feather to its cap as filmmaker Amartya Bhattacharyya’s directorial Lahari bagged the Best Odia Film award
at the 72nd National Film Awards, announced by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting on Saturday.
The prestigious
honour recognises the finest Odia feature film certified in 2024 and marks yet
another milestone for the state’s flourishing film industry. The award celebrates
Lahari for its cinematic excellence
and further cements Bhattacharyya’s reputation as one of the most distinctive
voices in Indian regional cinema.
Known for his unique
storytelling style and visually compelling narratives, Amartya Bhattacharyya has
consistently earned critical acclaim for his work. With Lahari, the filmmaker has once again brought national attention to
the richness and artistic depth of Odia cinema.
The 72nd National Film Awards honoured films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during 2024. While Lahari emerged as the winner in the Best Odia Film category, Article 370 was adjudged Best Feature Film.
Yami Gautam won the Best Actress award, while Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared the Best Actor honour.
