Odia film ‘Hello Aarsi’ starring Prakruti Mishra and Partha, directed by Sambit Mohanty and produced by Ajay Rautray, won the Best Odia Film award at the 65th National Film Awards declared on Friday.
The director and producer of the film will receive the prestigious Rajat Kamal and Rs 1 lakh each. The film also won special mention.
Prakruti, who plays the protagonist, told media, “I am totally overwhelmed and numb. A national award is a great achievement for me.”
Filled with metaphorical elements and shot in Rourkela over a year ago, the film has only two characters. “People sometimes lack media to express themselves. This movie is themed around an idea of finding out a channel to reveal your innermost feelings. The story begins in a car and ends there,” said Prakruti.
Director Sambit Mohanty, who passed away shortly after the filming, has also been chosen as the Best Screenplay (Dialogues) award to receive the prestigious Rajat Kamal with Rs 50,000. “ I miss him terribly at this hour. He was a dreamer who beautifully visualised this movie and executed it,” Prakruti added.
National Film Awards jury panel director Shekhar Kapur spoke very highly of the movie, saying that even he would have failed 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, heaping praises on Prakruti.
