By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 14: Apot, a Khasi film produced and directed by Raphael Warjri, was named Best Film at the 8th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards (North East) 2025. The two-day festival, held on January 10 and 11, featured 26 films from across the Northeastern states.
Apot received a trophy, certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 50,000, while the film’s music director, Augustine Kurbah, won the Best Music Director award.
Meghalaya had a strong presence at the festival with three official entries: Apot, Lanot, and Tyngkai.
Other major honours included Best Director for Prakash Deka (Nora), Best Screenwriter for Sanjib Sabhapandit (Aakash Heno Nodir Naam), and Best Actor awards for Raju Roy (Noi Kotha) and Rodali Bora (Burkha). Priyakanta Laishram won Best Film Editor for the Manipuri film Oneness, and Bhaskar Jyoti Kalita was named Best Art Director for Woodcutter.
National award-winning actress and filmmaker Suhasini Mulay, in her address as the guest of honour, spoke on the creative potential of the Northeast but also highlighted the persistent indifference and discrimination faced by people from the region in mainstream India. She further shared her experiences working with legendary filmmakers Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray.
The jury also awarded a Special Mention to Jatindranath Khanikar for his roles in Burkha and Gomon, while special recognitions were given to the films Brahmakanya and Kangbo Aloti.
