‘Lahari’ Wins National Film Award for Best Odia Film

Bureau, 23 September 2026: Odia cinema has achieved a major national honour with ‘Lahari’ winning the Best Odia Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards. The film, directed by Amartya Bhattacharyya and produced by actor-producer Jhilik Bhattacharjee, was presented the Rajat Kamal at the awards ceremony held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at the ceremony on Tuesday, with Bhattacharyya and Bhattacharjee receiving the honour on behalf of the film. The ceremony was held against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity and, for the first time, the National Film Awards ceremony was hosted outside Delhi.

Based on a story rooted in rural Odisha, Lahari explores the lives and struggles of communities caught between tradition and rapid change. The film centres on a rural fisherman and examines family relationships, social change and the challenges faced by indigenous communities amid urbanisation.

The film's distinctive approach also extends to its production. Reports note that Lahari brought together artistes from 15 countries, making it an unusual international collaboration while retaining Odisha's language, cultural identity and storytelling traditions.

For director Amartya Bhattacharyya, the award marks his second National Film Award and his first National Award for an Odia film. Speaking after the announcement, he said the recognition belonged not only to him but to the entire Lahari team and to filmmakers who want to explore independent and unconventional cinema. He also highlighted the film's performances, music and soundscape.

Producer Jhilik Bhattacharjee, meanwhile, described the honour as a deeply emotional milestone. She thanked the film's artistes and technicians and credited Bhattacharyya as a collaborator with whom she had carried the dream of Lahari.

The National Film Awards recognition adds to the film's journey beyond Odisha, with Lahari having also travelled to international film festivals. Its national honour now places another Odisha-rooted story on India's biggest cinematic platform.

Mahasweta Ray Set for a Triple Treat in Odia Cinema

Desk, 21 September 2026: Veteran Odia actress Mahasweta Ray is set to make a strong comeback to the big screen with three upcoming films, promising audiences a glimpse of her in different and distinctive roles.

According to the information featured in the report, Mahasweta will be seen in three Odia films, including Monster, Madhumalati and another upcoming project is Gameover. The films are expected to release in phases, giving her fans multiple opportunities to watch the veteran actress on screen.

The report notes that Mahasweta will portray different characters and appearances in the three projects. Her performances are expected to showcase a different side of her acting compared with some of her recent appearances.

Mahasweta has remained an important name in Odia cinema over the decades. Her return in multiple projects is being seen as an opportunity for audiences to reconnect with one of the industry's established performers.

Recently, she appeared in Dandakali along with Sidhant Mohapatra, Suryamayee Mohapatra, and others.

Shailendra Wins Audience Hearts Again with ‘Jadi’

Desk, 21 September 2026: Odia actor Shailendra Samantaray is once again winning appreciation from audiences with his latest film ‘Jadi: The Untold Side of If’. The actor, who has previously earned recognition for his performances in films such as Gupchup, Dashama, Guddu Gangster, Chhire Nani Chhi and Barbadhu, has received a positive response for his role in the new movie.

Produced by Kajal Ray and directed by Dibyajit Udayasingh, Jadi brings Shailendra and actress Priyamvada Swain together once again. Akash Hota also appears in a key lead role in the film.

Shailendra and Priyamvada were first paired opposite each other in the 2023 Odia film ‘Delivery Boy’, where their on-screen chemistry was appreciated by viewers. The pair was subsequently reunited by director Ashwini Tripathy in Delivery Boy 2. With Jadi, Shailendra and Priyamvada have now appeared together on the big screen for the third time.

The film also features Bhaktiranjan, Sushant Dasmahapatra, Rabi Mishra, Dharitri Khandual, Rani Samal, Balakrishna Nayak and Sushree Nanda in important roles. Rudrakant Singh is the cinematographer, while Somesh Satpathy has composed the music.

Blending romance with elements of thrill and suspense, Jadi is reportedly receiving a favourable response from audiences, adding another notable performance to Shailendra’s growing filmography.

Odia Comedy Actor Gyana Barik Set to Thrill Fans in a Brand New Avatar

Desk: Renowned Odia actor and comedian Gyana Barik, widely recognized by his popular stage name "Nali Amba," is all set to step out of his comfort zone and appear in an entirely new role on the big screen. Known for bringing laughter to audiences across Odisha with his unique comic timing and distinct acting style, Barik is gearing up for a surprising screen transition.

According to reliable industry sources, Barik will be seen in a completely different light in an upcoming Odia film. While his name typically evokes instant thoughts of lighthearted comic characters among film lovers, rumors indicate that his presentation this time around will deviate significantly from his usual comedy style.

News of his transformed look has sparked immense curiosity among fans and viewers. Having established a strong foothold in the Odia film and entertainment industry through his comedy, expectations are high regarding how he will portray this fresh character. Audience members and trade analysts alike are eagerly waiting to see how Barik handles this non-conventional role and what new dimensions he brings to the screen. He was quite popular for appearing different characters with Papu Pom Pom on Tarang Music like Faltu Katha, Fakadram, etc.

Horror, Drama, and Romance: Three Odia Films Release for Ganesh Puja

Bhubaneswar: To celebrate Ganesh Puja this year, three new Odia films have hit the silver screen, offering audience a diverse mix of horror, drama, and romance.

'Dahan - The Evil Within' Leads the Horror Genre Released on September 11, the highly anticipated horror thriller 'Dahan - The Evil Within' has been produced under the banner of Amiya Patnaik Productions. Directed, scripted, and written by National Film Award winner Anupam Patnaik, who also co-produced it alongside Barsha Patnaik, the makers claim the film takes Odia horror cinema to the next level following the success of 'Mantramugdha'.

The film features a star-studded cast including Barsha Patnaik, Arosikha Mishra, Samrat Mohapatra, Partha Sarathi Ray, Nishant Majithia, Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, and Pranab Prasanna Rath. Dialogues are penned by Pranab Prasanna Rath, cinematography handled by Deepak Kumar, editing by Rashmi Ranjan Dash, and music composed by Asish Pradhan.

'Dandakali' Hits Theatres Also released on September 11 under the Rajshree Cinecraft banner, 'Dandakali' is directed by Sudhanshu Mohan Sahoo. The screenplay and dialogues are written by Dilip Choudhury, with music scored by Prem Anand. The film's ensemble cast includes Mahasweta, Suryamayee, Siddhanta, Usasi Mishra, Eli Padhi, K K, Jayaprakash Das, Amar, and Trupti Mirambika.

Romantic Drama 'Yadi' Arrives Rounding out the festival releases is the romantic drama 'Yadi', which arrived in theaters on September 13. Produced by Kajal Ray and directed by Divyajit Udayasingh, the movie stars Sailendra, Priyambada, Akash Hota, Bhaktiranjan, Sushant Dasmohapatra, Rabi Mishra, Dharitri Khandual, Rani Samal, Balakrishna Nayak, and Sushree Nanda. The cinematography is by Rudrakanta Singh, with music composed by Somesh Satpathy.

Sequel to Odia Film ‘Sahara Jaluchhi’ Announced After 28 Years

Desk (15 September 2026): Nearly 28 years after the release of the popular Odia action film Sahara Jaluchhi, a sequel to the movie has been announced, bringing back director Sudhanshu Mohan Sahu to helm the project.

Released in 1998, Sahara Jaluchhi went on to achieve significant commercial success and gained popularity among Odia film audiences. Now, the makers are preparing to take the story forward with a new sequel.

The announcement was reportedly made during the premiere of the film Dandakaali. Rajashree Cinecraft has announced the new project, with Sudhanshu Sahu once again taking charge of direction. The upcoming film is expected to carry the legacy of its predecessor while presenting the story in a fresh format.

Dilip Choudhury has been credited with the story, screenplay and dialogues, while noted music composer Prem Anand will handle the music. Rajashree Ghosh is producing the film, with Sukanta Kumar Sahu serving as executive producer.

The new movie is reportedly titled “Sahara Jaluchhi...”, with further details about the subtitle and storyline expected to be revealed later.

Interestingly, there is also buzz that director Sudhanshu Sahu himself will be seen in a different role in the upcoming film. The first-look material has already sparked curiosity among audiences, raising expectations for the long-awaited sequel.

After almost three decades, the return of Sahara Jaluchhi is set to bring back memories of the original while introducing a new chapter for today's Odia cinema audience.

Datra Dhauli: Chandashoka