Bhubaneswar: Bringing laurels to the state, Odia feature film ‘Lahari’ has been officially selected for screening at the 20th edition of Tasveer Film Festival, popularly known as Seattle South Asian Film Festival, the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival in the world.
The film will be screened in Seattle, USA October 8. ‘Lahari’, which had its World Premiere at the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival, was released across theatres in Odisha September 12.
“My films have been selected at over 200 international festivals worldwide, including some of the best in the world, but this is the first time one of my films has been chosen at an Oscar-qualifying festival.
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I am thrilled. This Seattle festival has been on my wish list for years. Finally, with LAHARI, we achieved it.
Since the film is still in theatres, I urge all film lovers in Odisha to watch this internationally celebrated Odia film.
Opportunities to see such films on the big screen are rare, and we should embrace them wholeheartedly,” said the director of the movie, Amartya Bhattacharyya.
‘Lahari, produced by actress Jhilik Bhattacharjee under the banner of Jhilik Motion Pictures, follows the lives of the central characters as they navigate the complexities of relationships, personal growth and the challenges of life in a rapidly changing world.
The film has earned praise not only for its compelling narrative but also for its cinematic celebration of the region.
The cast includes Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, Choudhury Bikash Das, Dipanwit Dashmohapatra, Smruti Ranjan Mahala (child artiste), Susant Misra, Swastik Choudhury and Zeinab Doer, alongside a range of prominent names from the Odia film industry.
It also features cameo appearances by Babushaan Mohanty, Devasis Patra, Hara Ratha, and Jhilik herself. Music is composed by Kisaloy Roy, with songs voiced by Gaurav Anand, Navya Jaiti, and Kisaloy.
Uniquely, ‘Lahari’ highlights themes of organic ecotourism and rural entrepreneurship, while featuring a diverse cast drawn from 15 different countries, a first in the history of Odia cinema.
PNN
