National Award-Winning Odia Film Pushkara to Have Special Screening at Mumbai’s Waterfront Indie Film Festival

Mumbai: Fresh from its historic win at the 71st National Film Awards, where it was named Best Odia Feature Film, Pushkara will be screened at the Waterfront Indie Film Festival in Mumbai. The special showcase is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, at 10 AM.

Directed by Subhranshu Das and produced by Tarang Cine Productions, Pushkara is based on the acclaimed Odia novel Nadabindu by Sankar Tripathy. The film stars Sabyasachi Mishra and Supriya Nayak in lead roles, weaving together themes of love, tradition, and cultural identity against the spiritual backdrop of Puri.

The movie beautifully depicts Odisha’s heritage through age-old rituals and festivals such as Sahi Jata, Kartika Purnima, and Boita Bandana, while exploring the intersection of personal relationships, societal expectations, and spirituality.

At the National Awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, the award was presented to the film’s team by President Droupadi Murmu, marking a proud milestone for Odia cinema. Accepting the honor, director Subhranshu Das thanked the jury and emphasized the importance of telling culturally rooted stories that resonate nationwide.

The Waterfront Indie Film Festival, presented by The Daily Eye in partnership with Rangshila Theatre, will debut in Mumbai from October 4–6, 2025. The festival aims to celebrate the spirit of independent cinema, featuring a vibrant mix of feature films, shorts, documentaries, and experimental works from around the world, with a special focus on South Asian cinema.

The screening of Pushkara not only celebrates its National Award victory but also highlights the growing recognition of Odia cinema on national and global platforms.