Odia film Lahari has earned a significant international honour as it is set to be screened at the 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, which will be held in Australia from August 12 to 24. This selection marks a proud moment for the Odia film industry, bringing the regional film to a global stage and providing an opportunity for international audiences to experience the rich storytelling rooted in Odisha. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is one of the most prestigious platforms that celebrates the diversity of Indian cinema, including regional and independent films. This year, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan will attend the festival as the chief guest, and a special retrospective will highlight his iconic film career. His latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par, will also be screened at the event.

Directed, written, shot, and edited by Amartya Bhattacharyya, Lahari is a heartfelt and visually rich cinematic work. The film had its world premiere at the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival and has continued to receive critical acclaim for its poignant narrative. Set against the serene and lush eco-tourism backdrop of Odisha, Lahari tells a deeply emotional story about friendship, fatherhood, and coming-of-age. It reflects the personal and emotional journeys of its characters as they face the complexities of life, relationships, and transformation in a rapidly changing world. The film features a stellar cast comprising Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, Choudhury Bikash Das, Dipanwit Dashmohapatra, Smruti Ranjan Mahala (as a child artist), Susant Misra, Swastik Choudhury, and Zeinab Doer, along with other prominent figures from the Odia film industry.

Lahari has been produced by Jhilik Bhattacharjee, who expressed her excitement and pride over the film’s selection at IFFM. She said it was an “absolute honour” to present Lahari at such a prestigious international platform and hoped that many members of the Indian film fraternity, including Aamir Khan, would watch and appreciate the film. The film's soul-stirring music has been composed by Kisaloy Roy, with vocals by Gaurav Anand and Navya Jaity. The immersive sound design has been crafted by Anindit Roy and Adeep Singh Manki, adding emotional depth to the film’s narrative.

Director Amartya Bhattacharyya shared his joy over the film’s selection, noting that it is especially meaningful since not many of his films have previously reached audiences in Australia. He added that he has followed the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for years and deeply respects its reputation. He hopes that Lahari will resonate with film lovers attending the festival and open doors for more Odia films to be embraced internationally. The inclusion of Lahari in the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 is not only a celebration of artistic achievement but also a major leap forward for regional Indian cinema. It showcases how meaningful stories, grounded in local culture and aesthetics, can transcend boundaries and touch hearts across the globe.