CM Majhi Meets 'Lahari' Producer After National Film Award Win
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi received producer Jhillik Bhattacharya in a courtesy call after her film 'Lahari' won Best Odia Cinema at the 71st National Film Awards, calling it a proud moment for every Odia.
Key Takeaways
Lahari won Best Odia Cinema at the 71st National Film Awards , one of India's most prestigious film honours.
Producer Jhillik Bhattacharya personally visited Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on September 26, 2026 to display the award.
CM Majhi described the achievement as a matter of 'immense pride for every Odia' and congratulated the full cast, director, and crew.
The National Film Awards have been administered by the Government of India's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1954 .
Recognition of non-Hindi regional cinema at the National Film Awards has grown over successive editions.
The Odia film community will watch for any follow-up state-level incentives or policy support for regional cinema.
A national award came home to Odisha — and its Chief Minister made sure to mark the moment in person. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi received Jhillik Bhattacharya, the producer of the Odia film 'Lahari', at a courtesy call on Saturday, September 26, 2026, where she showcased the 71st National Film Award the film won for Best Odia Cinema.
Posting in Odia, CM Majhi wrote that this 'glorious success of Odia art and culture on the national stage is a matter of immense pride for every Odia.' He extended heartfelt congratulations to the entire cast, director, and production team of Lahari, wishing them a bright future ahead.'Lahari' Brings the 71st National Film Award to Bhubaneswar
The National Film Awards, instituted in 1954 and administered by the Government of India's Directorate of Film Festivals, are among the most prestigious recognitions in Indian cinema — spanning every language and every region of the country. Winning the Best Odia Cinema category at the 71st edition places Lahari in a lineage of regional-language films that have carried their culture to the national spotlight.
Producer Jhillik Bhattacharya brought the award to the Chief Minister's office, a visit that doubled as both a celebration and a public acknowledgment of what the film represents for Odisha's creative community.
Regional Cinema, National Recognition
Over successive editions of the National Film Awards, non-Hindi cinema has commanded growing attention — a reflection of India's deliberate push to honour its linguistic diversity on screen. For Odia filmmakers, that recognition carries particular weight: the industry is smaller, the resources tighter, and every national award signals that the craft is punching above its weight class.
State leaders meeting National Award recipients has become a familiar ritual of cultural diplomacy — but the meetings also carry a practical subtext. They signal government interest in the sector, often preceding announcements of state-level incentives, promotional screenings, or policy support for regional film industries.
What the Film Community Will Be Watching
The Odia film fraternity will now look closely at whether CM Majhi's warm reception translates into concrete measures — state-backed screenings, enhanced production subsidies, or institutional support for Odia cinema's infrastructure. A Chief Minister who celebrates a National Award publicly is also, implicitly, setting an expectation for what follows.
Point of View
Spotlighting regional cultural wins helps build a soft-nationalist narrative that complements the party's broader 'Viksit Bharat' messaging. The real policy test, however, lies ahead: whether the warm optics translate into structural support — subsidies, distribution infrastructure, or a dedicated Odia film promotion fund — will determine whether this moment is symbolic or substantive. Regional film industries across India have consistently flagged that political celebration rarely converts into sustained institutional investment.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film Lahari about?
Specific details about the plot and cast of 'Lahari' have not been officially confirmed in public records available, but the film won the Best Odia Cinema award at the 71st National Film Awards, produced by Jhillik Bhattacharya.
What did Lahari win at the 71st National Film Awards?
'Lahari' won the Best Odia Cinema award at the 71st National Film Awards, a Government of India honour recognising cinematic excellence across all Indian languages.
Who is Jhillik Bhattacharya?
Jhillik Bhattacharya is the producer of the Odia film 'Lahari', which won Best Odia Cinema at the 71st National Film Awards. She met Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on September 26, 2026.
What are the National Film Awards?
The National Film Awards are annual Government of India awards instituted in 1954 and administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals, recognising excellence in cinema across all Indian languages and regions.
What did CM Mohan Majhi say about Lahari's National Award?
CM Majhi said that 'Lahari's' success at the national level is a matter of immense pride for every Odia person, and extended heartfelt congratulations to the film's entire cast, director, and production team.
