Nat’l awards: Daman named best Odia film

Bhubaneswar: Babushaan Mohanty-starrer ‘Daman’ won the best Odia film award at the 70th National Film Awards on Friday.
Written and directed by Vishal Mourya and Debi Prasad Lenka and released in Nov 2022, the film portrays a doctor’s endeavour to enlighten the tribal population in Malkangiri about combating malaria by removing superstitions surrounding the disease.The film’s title draws inspiration from the state govt’s DaMaN (Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakarana) scheme and was loosely based on the real-life experiences of Dr Omkar Hota, who worked in Malkangiri. Originally made in Odia, the film was later dubbed in Hindi.
The award comprises the Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi posted on X, “I extend my best wishes to the maker of the film for winning such a coveted award. Daman not only inspires people of Odisha but also praised by audience across the nation. The work of the young doctor on whom the film is based is praiseworthy.”
Former CM Naveen Patnaik wrote on X, “It is a matter of great pleasure that Daman received the best Odia film award at the 70th National Film Awards. I extend my best wishes to the actors, directors and makers of this movie for this success.”
Babushaan said, “It was an immense privilege to be part of such an extraordinary film.” Dr Hota told TOI, “I was simply fulfilling my duties. Little did I imagine that my work would be immortalised on the silver screen and garner appreciation on such an illustrious platform.”