CM Himanta congratulates 'Dear Awa' on Mumbai film fest win
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Dr. Lachit Baruah and the team of 'Dear Awa' on winning Best Inspirational Film at the Mumbai International Film Festival. The film, celebrating the Singpho community, had its international premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival and features Minister Atul Bora in a special role.
Key Takeaways
'Dear Awa' (meaning 'Dear Father') won the 'Best Inspirational Film' award at the Mumbai International Film Festival .
The film celebrates the life and heritage of the Singpho community of Assam and Northeast India.
Lachit Baruah led the film, which had its international premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival .
Minister Atul Bora of the Government of Assam features in a special role in the film.
Himanta Biswa Sarma called the recognition 'a proud milestone for Assam and North East cinema.' The film has been selected for competitive sections of multiple international film festivals.
A film about fathers, identity, and a little-known indigenous community just earned Assam a seat on the international cinema map. The Chief Minister's Office of Assam announced on Monday, 9 November 2026 that CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has congratulated director Dr. Lachit Baruah and the entire team of 'Dear Awa' — meaning 'Dear Father' — on winning the 'Best Inspirational Film' award at the Mumbai International Film Festival.
'Dear Awa' — a Singpho story breaks through
'Dear Awa' centres on the life and heritage of the Singpho community, one of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh's oldest indigenous peoples, historically known as among the first to cultivate tea in the region. The film's sweep at Mumbai — a festival whose competitive sections are among the most keenly watched in India for documentary and short-form cinema — signals that Northeast India's storytelling is finding both craft and audience far beyond state borders. The recognition is specific, earned, and hard to dismiss.Melbourne premiere before Mumbai triumph
Before it arrived at Mumbai, 'Dear Awa' had already travelled internationally — with its world premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival, one of the longest-running film events in the Asia-Pacific. The film has also been selected for the competitive sections of several other international film festivals, though specific names are yet to be confirmed in the public record. That circuit — Melbourne to Mumbai — is exactly the kind of trajectory that builds a film's credibility with juries and audiences alike.Minister Atul Bora's on-screen turn
In an unusual detail, Minister Shri Atul Bora of the Government of Assam features in a special role in the film. Bora, who also oversees cultural portfolios in the state cabinet, lending his presence to an independent indigenous film adds an institutional layer of endorsement — a minister not just applauding the arts but stepping into the frame.Assam's cultural push through cinema
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has since taking office in May 2021 regularly amplified regional arts and cultural milestones, framed the award as 'a proud milestone for Assam and North East cinema.' That framing is deliberate: Assam has positioned its creative output — especially films rooted in indigenous communities and local languages — as part of a broader identity project for the Northeast. Each international recognition becomes a data point in that argument. 'Dear Awa' is now one of its sharper ones.Point of View
The Himanta government signals that cultural diplomacy — not just infrastructure or security — is a pillar of its Northeast brand. Minister Atul Bora's on-screen role blurs the line between state patronage and artistic participation in a way that is politically significant, however subtly. If Assam follows through with tangible incentives for indigenous-language filmmakers, this congratulatory post could mark a genuine inflection point; if it doesn't, it remains a well-crafted symbolic gesture.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Dear Awa' about?
'Dear Awa' means 'Dear Father' and celebrates the life and heritage of the Singpho community, one of the oldest indigenous peoples of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
What award did 'Dear Awa' win at the Mumbai International Film Festival?
The film won the 'Best Inspirational Film' award at the Mumbai International Film Festival in 2026.
Who directed 'Dear Awa'?
The film was directed by Dr. Lachit Baruah, who was congratulated by Assam CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma along with the entire team.
Where did 'Dear Awa' have its international premiere?
The film had its international premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival before going on to compete at the Mumbai International Film Festival and other international festivals.
Why is Atul Bora significant in connection with 'Dear Awa'?
Atul Bora, a Minister in the Government of Assam, features in a special role in the film, representing an unusual instance of a sitting state minister participating directly in an indigenous independent film.
