Bhubaneswar, Dec. 19: Popular faces from the Odia film industry, energetic dance performances, mellifluous singers and loud cheers from the crowd made the 27th State Film Awards held at Utkal Mandap here today memorable.
The Jayadev Award, a lifetime achievement award for contribution to the Odia film industry, was conferred on cinematographer and producer Ashok Swain. He has worked on many films in the past 40 years and has also shot documentaries.
"This is an extremely memorable day for me," he said. Awards were given in 27 categories.
Kehi Nuhe Kahara, a romantic thriller by Susant Mani, bagged seven awards. Apart from the Mohan Sunder Dev Goswami award for best film, the film also won best screenplay, best supporting actress, best lyric, best costume, best make up and best sound categories.
Tulasi Apa, which narrates tales from the life and times of Tulasi Munda, won six awards, including the best director and the best actress award for Barsha Nayak for the titular role.
Soumya Ranjan Dash, who enacted the role of an autistic man in the film Antarleena, bagged the best actor award.
"The role was very challenging and the entire process was enlightening for me. I hope the film will be helpful towards creating a better society," said Dash.
Isq Tu hi Tu won in five categories, including best story for Tapas Sargharia.
"All of us have put in our best efforts and we are happy with the response from the audience," he said.
Goutam Giri and Antara Chakraborty were selected as best playback male and female singers respectively for their renditions in the film Prema Rutu Hata Dhari.
Noted film director Sabyasachi Mohapatra's Pahadara Luha got the best jury award. The film is on the sufferings of the Paraja tribe in Koraput due to mining and displacement. The film also won the best Odia film award at the 63rd National Film Awards this year.
"I started working on the film around 25 years ago, but had to stop the project midway because of financial and other constraints. I am really happy today," said the 65-year-old film-maker.
Awards in two categories - best educational or children's film and the best film in any tribal language of Odisha - were not given due to lack of entries.
