“Ananta” Wins Big at INCA Awards; Sabyasachi Mahapatra, Kumar C. Dev Named Best Director

Bhubaneswar: Odia cinema added another feather to its cap as acclaimed filmmakers Sabyasachi Mahapatra and Kumar C. Dev won the Best Director honour at the INCA Awards for their critically appreciated film Ananta.

The announcement was celebrated by the makers, who described it as a proud moment for Odia cinema and thanked audiences for their overwhelming love and support. The recognition is being seen as another milestone for the Odia film industry on the national stage.

Ananta has drawn praise for its strong storytelling, emotional depth and rooted Odia narrative. Directed jointly by the award-winning duo, the film is based on the timeless story “Randi Pua Ananta” by legendary Odia writer Fakir Mohan Senapati.

The film narrates a powerful tale of redemption and sacrifice, following the transformation of a rebellious youth into an unlikely saviour. When a devastating flood threatens his village, Ananta sacrifices his own life to stop the waters by plugging a breach in the embankment, ultimately becoming a symbol of courage and selflessness.

Produced by Naveen Bhandari, Suraj Mahnot and Archita Sahu, the film stars Sabyasachi Mishra in the title role. His performance was widely appreciated by audiences and critics alike. The cast also includes Surjyamayi Mahapatra, Kuna Tripathy, Tapas Sargharia, and Jyotirmayee Panda.

The music for the film was composed by Abhijit Majumdar, while cinematography was handled by Huetsang Mahapatra.

After a successful theatrical release across Odisha and later television and OTT premieres, Ananta continues its winning journey with this prestigious INCA Awards recognition, reaffirming the growing stature of Odia cinema.