Actors Babushan and Riya in a still from the film Prema Adhei Akhyara. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 11: Actor Babushan has bagged a double at the State Film Awards 2010 while Riya has won the Best Actress title for her debut film. The state department of culture announced the coveted film awards today and there were quite a number of surprises.

The biggest surprise was that filmmakers of only seven films had sent entries for the coveted awards, whereas more than 20 films were released in 2010 including hits such as Aama Bhitare Kichi Achhi Ki, Diwana, Tu Thile Mo Dara Kahaku among others.

“We had invited entries through advertisements, but received applications from only seven films. Others were probably not contented with the cash award,” said chairman of the jury and president of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Sarat Pujari.

“There were some technical reasons involved too. The screening for the jury needed prints of the film. This may not have been feasible for many,” said Ashok Tripathy, secretary of culture department.

The Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami Award for Best Film will be given to Swayamsiddha and its director Sudhanshu Mohan Sahu won the award for Best Director. The film won five other awards, including a Special Jury Award for actor Sidhant Mohapatra. Babushan has won the awards for both Best Actor and Best Male Playback Singer for his film Prema Adhei Akhyara. Abhijit Majumdar won for Best Music Director while Ira Mohanty won the best Female Playback singer title.

“I am very excited about the news. It is the most wonderful surprise of my life,” said actress Riya.

The prestigious Jayadev Award for Lifetime Achievement will be given to renowned cinematographer and filmmaker Apurba Kishore Bir at the award ceremony to be held at Utkal Mandap on December 20.

Awards for Best Screenplay, Children’s Film and Documentary have not been given. “Since most of the screenplays were remakes of other films, we did not make any selection in these categories,” said Pujari. Other members of the jury were filmmakers Gadadhar Putty and Sabyasachi Mohapatra, film journalists Parikhit Jena and Pradosh Patnaik, film technician Raju Mishra and eminent author Pratibha Ray.

The award ceremony for 2008 and 2009, that was pending and had got delayed due to logistical reasons was held in August this year. But the culture department has decided to become up-to-date in giving away the film awards that are often considered the highest state-level honour by members of the film fraternity.

“We have planned some changes for the awards that will be applicable from next year. The Jayadev Award that carries Rs 1 lakh cash has been changed to Rs 5 lakhs. Five new awards for tribal language film, dialogue writer, costume man, make up man and choreography will be introduced. The cash prize for the existing awards have also been increased to encourage film makers,” said secretary Tripathy.