The who’s who of Odia cinema gathered in spirit today as the winners of the 35th and 36th Odisha State Film Awards for 2023 and 2024 were officially announced at a press conference in the capital.
Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj unveiled the names of the top honourees at Sanskriti Bhavan, setting the stage for a glittering awards ceremony scheduled for 26 June 2026.
Lifetime Achievement Glory
The prestigious Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami Award, Odisha’s highest honour for lifetime contribution to cinema, will be conferred on veteran filmmaker Shyamalendu Bhattacharya for 2023 and acclaimed actress Smt. Namrata Das for 2024.
Best Film
In a rare joint win, the Best Film award for 2023 goes to both Pushkara and My Sweet Wife. For 2024, the critically acclaimed Ashram has been declared the Best Film.
Best Actor & Actress
Harihar Mahapatra wins Best Actor for 2023, while the charismatic Babusan takes the honour for 2024.
The Best Actress award for 2023 is shared by Naina Dash Tiwari and Supriya Nayak. Devayani Deghuria wins the coveted trophy for 2024.
Best Director
Pinaki Singh and Sishir Kumar Sahu share the Best Director award for 2023, while Ashok Pati receives it for 2024.
Speaking at the press conference, Minister Suraj congratulated all the winners and said the State Film Awards will play a pivotal role in encouraging the making of meaningful, value-based, and socially relevant films in Odia. “These awards will not only motivate our artistes but will also significantly contribute to the growth and prosperity of the Odia film industry,” he remarked.
A distinguished jury headed by eminent filmmaker Pranab Das evaluated the entries for both years. Senior officials, including Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, and Dr. Chandra Sekhar Hota, Secretary, Odisha Sahitya Akademi, were present at the announcement.
A total of 30 awards each will be presented for 2023 and 2024 during the grand ceremony on 26 June, celebrating excellence across every category of Odia cinema.
The announcement has already sparked excitement across the state, with film lovers and industry insiders hailing it as a proud moment for Odia cinema.
