In a landmark achievement for Odisha’s cultural landscape, the Ganjam folk art-inspired short film Adamya has won the Best Short Film Award at the prestigious Nirmal Pandey Memorial Film Festival 2025. The win not only celebrates the timeless traditions of Ganjam but also places Odisha firmly in the national spotlight for its cinematic contributions. The Nirmal Pandey Memorial Film Festival, instituted in memory of the acclaimed Bollywood actor Nirmal Pandey, travels across India every year to celebrate diverse voices in cinema. For the very first time, the festival arrived in Odisha and was hosted at the Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institute of Odisha (BPFTIO), Cuttack. The event brought together both Bollywood and Ollywood stalwarts, creating a grand stage for regional cinema to shine.

Among the many films showcased, Adamya stood out as the evening’s crowning glory. Apart from winning the Best Short Film Award, it also swept top honours in multiple categories, including Best Director for Krishna DK, Best Actress for Sanchita Patra, Best Music for Abhishek Maharana and DK, and Best Cinematography for Ranjit Kumar Rath. The awards were presented by eminent Bollywood actor Govind Namdev, whose presence added to the significance of the occasion.

Written by Seemanchal Maharana and directed by Krishna DK, Adamya is a cinematic ode to the cultural and artistic traditions of Ganjam. The film is enriched by a stellar ensemble cast featuring Vivek Kumar Dakua, Preeti Ranjan Pradhan, Sanchita Patra, Kajal, Sweety, Shubham, Khirsindhu Mohanty, Gurushri Narayan Maharana, Madhusudan Mishra, Sapan Kumar Sethi, Gitanjali Samantaray, and veteran actor Jay Prakash Das. Each actor delivered a memorable performance, breathing life into the film’s poignant narrative and ensuring that its cultural message resonated deeply with the audience.

The resounding success of Adamya has elevated the folk traditions of Ganjam to a national platform, highlighting the richness of Odisha’s heritage and the immense talent of its filmmakers. By clinching multiple awards at such a prestigious festival, the film has brought immense pride and prestige to the state. More than just a cinematic achievement, Adamya represents the resilience of Odisha’s art and culture, etching Ganjam’s name in golden letters on India’s cultural map.