Odisha's Film Awards 2023-2024: Celebrating Excellence in Odia Cinema

The Odisha Film Awards for 2023 and 2024 celebrated the best in Odia cinema, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presenting 31 awards. Notable winners included Shyamalendu Bhattacharya and Namrata Das for lifetime contributions, while films like Pushkara and Ashram were recognized as Best Films. The event highlighted the government's commitment to supporting the film industry and promoting cinema tourism in Odisha. Join us as we explore the winners and the future of Odia cinema.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 26, 2026, 23:03 IST

A Night of Recognition for Odia Cinema

Bhubaneswar: On Friday, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi honored the winners of the state film awards for 2023 and 2024 during a special ceremony held in Bhubaneswar.

A total of 31 awards were presented by CM Majhi, celebrating excellence in various filmmaking categories and recognizing significant contributions to Odia cinema.

The esteemed Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami Award for 2023 was awarded to Shyamalendu Bhattacharya, while Namrata Das received the same honor for 2024, both acknowledged for their lifetime achievements in cinema.

The Best Film award for 2023 was jointly awarded to the National Award-winning film Pushkara and My Sweet Housewife, while Ashram took home the Best Film accolade for 2024 at the 35th and 36th Odisha State Film Awards.

For the Best Director category, Pinaki Singh and Shishir Kumar Sahu shared the award for 2023, while Ashok Pati was recognized for directing Pabar in 2024.

Harihar Mahapatra won the Best Actor award for his performance in Dho Re Babu Dho for 2023, and Babushaan Mohanty received the same honor for Pabar in 2024.

The Best Actress award for 2023 was jointly awarded to Naina Dash Tiwari and Supriya Nayak for their roles in My Sweet Housewife and Pushkara, respectively, while Debjani Deghuria was named Best Actress for 2024 for her work in Bhagia Bharija.

During his address, Majhi emphasized, "Odia cinema represents our community's identity. To foster its growth and protect artists, the state government will soon introduce a new Film policy."

He reiterated the government's commitment to providing technical support for producing high-quality films, promising positive developments in this area shortly.

Majhi also highlighted the significance of technology and OTT platforms, noting that the younger generation has embraced advanced techniques in cinematography, sound design, and VFX.

Kalinga Studios is being established as a leading digital and post-production center in the country, offering international standard training to Odisha's young talents, ensuring they do not need to seek opportunities in other states.

He encouraged filmmakers to promote cinema tourism by showcasing Odisha's natural beauty.

The Chief Minister called on sponsors and audiences to support Odia cinema, asserting that films rooted in the essence of Odia culture and society, presented with a modern twist, would attract viewers back to theaters.

He urged the audience to visit cinemas and watch Odia films, emphasizing that the livelihoods of numerous technicians, writers, and workers depend on the success of these films.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Industries Minister Sampada Chandra Swain, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, MLAs, and prominent artists from the state.