Odia film LAHARI earns official selection at Tasveer Film Festival 2025, the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival in Seattle
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odia feature film LAHARI has received official selection at the 20th anniversary of the Tasveer Film Festival, which is recognized as the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival globally, commonly referred to as the Seattle South Asian Film Festival. LAHARI is scheduled to be screened on October 8th in Seattle, USA.
LAHARI premiered across Odisha on September 12th, where it was warmly received by cinema enthusiasts, garnering positive reviews and affection. The film continues to be shown in theaters. It previously had its world premiere at the Kolkata International Film Festival, followed by screenings at other esteemed festivals such as the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, the Rhode Island International Film Festival, and the Mumbai International Film Festival, where it will be showcased on September 25th at the National Film Archive of India.
Filmmaker Amartya Bhattacharyya stated, “My films have been featured in over 200 international festivals around the world, including some of the most prestigious, but this marks the first occasion that one of my films has been selected for an Oscar-qualifying festival. I am elated, and this festival in Seattle has been on my wish list for many years. Finally, with LAHARI, we have achieved this milestone. The film is still being screened in theaters, and I encourage all film enthusiasts in Odisha to experience this internationally recognized Odia film. Opportunities to view an internationally acclaimed Odia film in theaters are rare, and when such an opportunity arises, we should seize it wholeheartedly.”
LAHARI has been produced by the well-known Odia actress Jhilik Bhattacharjee under the Jhilik Motion Pictures banner. The film stars Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, Choudhury Bikash Das, Dipanwit Dashmohapatra, Susant Misra, and Swastik Choudhury in leading roles. Additionally, it features cameo appearances by Babushaan Mohanty, Devasis Patra, Hara Ratha, and Jhilik herself. The music for the film is composed by Kisaloy Roy, with three songs performed by Gaurav Anand, Navya Jaiti, and Kisaloy himself.
Interestingly, the film centers on organic ecotourism and rural entrepreneurship, showcasing a cast that includes individuals from 15 different countries, a feat that is unprecedented for an Odia film.
