APOT bags Best Film at 8th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards
THE 8th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards (North East) 2025 concluded on a celebratory note, honouring excellence in regional cinema from across the North Eastern states. The two-day festival, held on 15 and 16 January 2026, showcased a vibrant selection of films reflecting the cultural and creative diversity of the region.
The Best Film Award was conferred on APOT (Khasi), produced and directed by Raphael Warjri, which received a trophy, certificate, and a cash award of ₹50,000. The film also won Best Music Director, awarded to Augustine Kurbah, who received a trophy, certificate, and ₹20,000.
Other major honours included Best Director to Prakash Deka for Nora (Assamese), and Best Screenwriter to Sanjib Sabhapandit for Aakash Heno Nodir Naam (Assamese), each carrying a trophy, certificate and ₹20,000. Best Cinematography was awarded to Aniruddha Barua for Taarikh, while Best Sound Design went to Manas Protim Goswami for Nora.
Priyakanta Laishram won Best Film Editor for Oneness (Manipur) and Best Art Director was awarded to Bhaskar Jyoti Kalita for Woodcutter (Assamese).
In the acting categories, Raju Roy won Best Actor (Male) for Noi Kotha (Assamese), and Rodali Bora received Best Actor (Female) for Burkha (Assamese). The jury gave a Special Mention to Jatindranath Khanikar for his performances in Burkha and Gomon (Assamese). Special jury recognitions were also extended to Brahmakanya (Assamese) by Dhiraj Kashyap (producer-director) and Khajan Kishore Nath, director of Kangbo Aloti (Karbi film).
A total of 26 films were officially selected from numerous submissions across the region. Meghalaya marked a strong presence with three entries—APOT, Lanot, and Tyngkai.
The festival was graced by National Award–winning actress and filmmaker Suhasini Mulay as the Guest of Honour, along with eminent filmmakers Manjula Barua and Jahnu Barua, in the presence of Mr. Mrinmoy Baruah, President, and Mr. Ranjit Das, Secretary of the Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards.
In her address, Suhasini Mulay spoke at length on the immense creative potential of the North East, while also highlighting the persistent indifference and discriminatory attitudes faced by people from the region within mainstream India. She shared personal and memorable experiences of working with legendary filmmakers Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike.
The 8th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards once again reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for recognising and nurturing cinematic voices from North East India.
Shillong
January 14, 2026
https://indigenousherald.com/
The Best Film Award was conferred on APOT (Khasi), produced and directed by Raphael Warjri, which received a trophy, certificate, and a cash award of ₹50,000. The film also won Best Music Director, awarded to Augustine Kurbah, who received a trophy, certificate, and ₹20,000.
Other major honours included Best Director to Prakash Deka for Nora (Assamese), and Best Screenwriter to Sanjib Sabhapandit for Aakash Heno Nodir Naam (Assamese), each carrying a trophy, certificate and ₹20,000. Best Cinematography was awarded to Aniruddha Barua for Taarikh, while Best Sound Design went to Manas Protim Goswami for Nora.
Priyakanta Laishram won Best Film Editor for Oneness (Manipur) and Best Art Director was awarded to Bhaskar Jyoti Kalita for Woodcutter (Assamese).
In the acting categories, Raju Roy won Best Actor (Male) for Noi Kotha (Assamese), and Rodali Bora received Best Actor (Female) for Burkha (Assamese). The jury gave a Special Mention to Jatindranath Khanikar for his performances in Burkha and Gomon (Assamese). Special jury recognitions were also extended to Brahmakanya (Assamese) by Dhiraj Kashyap (producer-director) and Khajan Kishore Nath, director of Kangbo Aloti (Karbi film).
A total of 26 films were officially selected from numerous submissions across the region. Meghalaya marked a strong presence with three entries—APOT, Lanot, and Tyngkai.
The festival was graced by National Award–winning actress and filmmaker Suhasini Mulay as the Guest of Honour, along with eminent filmmakers Manjula Barua and Jahnu Barua, in the presence of Mr. Mrinmoy Baruah, President, and Mr. Ranjit Das, Secretary of the Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards.
In her address, Suhasini Mulay spoke at length on the immense creative potential of the North East, while also highlighting the persistent indifference and discriminatory attitudes faced by people from the region within mainstream India. She shared personal and memorable experiences of working with legendary filmmakers Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike.
The 8th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards once again reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for recognising and nurturing cinematic voices from North East India.
Shillong
January 14, 2026
https://indigenousherald.com/