Odia cinema has scored a major international milestone with the selection of LAHARI at the prestigious Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, USA—the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival in the world.
Directed by Amartya Bhattacharyya and produced by actress Jhilik Bhattacharjee under the banner of Jhilik Motion Pictures, LAHARI will be screened on October 8, marking a historic moment for regional Indian cinema.
The film, which explores themes of organic ecotourism and rural entrepreneurship, features a diverse cast from 15 countries—an unprecedented feat for an Odia production. It stars Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, Dipanwit Dashmohapatra, Susant Misra, and Swastik Choudhury, with cameo appearances by Babushaan Mohanty, Devasis Patra, Hara Ratha, and Jhilik herself.
LAHARI has already made its mark at several international festivals, including the Kolkata International Film Festival, Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Mumbai International Film Festival. The film continues to run in theatres across Odisha, receiving widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
Director Amartya Bhattacharyya, whose films have been showcased at over 200 international festivals, expressed his excitement: “This is the first time a film of mine has been selected at an Oscar-qualifying festival. I urge everyone in Odisha to experience this globally celebrated film while it’s still in theatres.”
