BHUBANESWAR: The 27th State Film Awards were conferred on members of Ollywood at Utkal Mandap here on Monday.
The prestigious Jayadev Puraskar, lifetime achievement award for contribution to the Odia film industry, was conferred on cinematographer and producer Ashok Swain who has several films to his credit in a four decade-long career. Apart from working in several films, he has shot documentaries on the State’s art, tourism and tribals.
Awards were given away in 27 categories among which ‘Kehi Nuhe Kahara’, a romantic thriller directed by Susant Mani, won in seven categories. Apart from the Mohan Sunder Dev Goswami Award for Best Film, ‘Kehi Nuhe Kahara’ was adjudged winner in categories of Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, Best Lyric, Best Costume, Best Make Up and Best Sound.
‘Pahadara Luha’ of Sabyasachi Mohapatra got Best Jury Award. Earlier this year, the film had won the best Odia film award at the 63rd National Film Awards.
Tulasi Apa, which is based on the life of social activist Tulasi Munda, won six awards including the Best Director and Best Actress for Barsha Nayak for the titular role. The Best Actor award was conferred on Soumya Ranjan Dash who essayed the role of an autistic man in Manoj Sahoo’s ‘Antarleena’.
‘Isq Tu hi Tu’ received five awards including the Best Story award for Tapas Sargharia.
Goutam Giri and Antara Chakraborty got the Best Playback Male and Female awards respectively for their renditions in ‘Prema Rutu Hata Dhari’.
Awards in two categories - best educational or children’s film and best film in any tribal language of Odisha - were not given due to lack of entries.