Exclusive: ‘Hello Aarsi’ bags Best Odia Film at 65th National Film Awards

Bhubaneswar: Odia film Hello Aarsi starring Prakruti Mishra and Partha, directed by Sambit Mohanty and produced by Ajay Rautray has won the Best Odia Film award at the 65th National Film Awards, declared today. The director and producer of the film will receive the prestigious Rajat Kamal and Rs 1 lakh each. The film also won special mention.

In an exclusive to Odisha Sun Times, Prakruti, who plays the protagonist said,”I am totally overwhelmed and numb. A National Award is a great achievement for me. I have worked really hard for this and it is a beautiful film.”

Filled with metaphorical elements and shot in Rourkela over a year ago, the entire movie has two characters only. “People sometimes lack media to express themselves. This movie is themed around the idea of finding out a channel to reveal your innermost feelings. The story begins in a car and ends there. You have to watch it to feel and understand the concept,” said an excited Prakruti.

The director of the film Sambit Mohanty passed away shortly after the filming and has also been bestowed with Best Screenplay (Dialogues) and will receive the prestigious Rajat Kamal with Rs. 50,000. “These are the blessings of our Director, Sambit Sir. I miss him terribly at this hour. He was a dreamer who beautifully visualised this movie and executed it. His labor has borne fruit and how!” she added.

The director of the jury panel of the National Film Awards Shekhar Kapur spoke very highly of the film and said that even he would fail if he had to make a film like this. “I have never seen a film like this, not even at Cannes. I am amazed at the performance of the girl who plays the lead character,” he said and heaped praised on Prakruti.