‘Ashram’ Wins Best Film Award at Odisha State Film Awards 2024

Bhubaneswar: The team of Ashram is celebrating a proud milestone after the film was honoured with the Best Film Award at the Odisha State Film Awards 2024, adding another feather to the cap of Odia cinema.

Directed by Sudhanshu Mohan Sahoo and produced by Tapan Dash under the banner of Aneesh Entertainment, Ashram was released in cinemas across Odisha in September 2024. The film marked the much-awaited return of veteran actress Mahasweta Ray to Odia cinema after a long gap.

The film features Mahasweta Ray as a senior IAS officer who, after retiring from a distinguished career, reflects on her life through a series of flashbacks while dealing with loneliness in her post-retirement years. Actress Suryamayee Mohapatra portrays the younger version of Mahasweta Ray’s character, while Abhishek Giri plays a pivotal role.

The story is penned by Nityananda Nandi, with screenplay and dialogues by Dilip Chaudhury. The film’s music has been composed by Abhijit Majumdar.
Expressing his happiness over the recognition, director Sudhanshu Mohan Sahoo said the film is an emotional journey of a woman who dedicates her life to public service and later confronts the realities of life after retirement.

Suryamayee Mohapatra said the award is a proud moment for the entire team. She described Ashram as “Mahasweta Ray ma’am’s film” and said audiences who have missed the veteran actress on the silver screen for years finally got the opportunity to watch her in a powerful role again.

The State Award is expected to give Ashram renewed recognition while celebrating a film that blends an emotional narrative with a memorable comeback performance by one of Odisha’s most admired actresses.