Historic Recognition for Santhali Cinema

The Santhali film Angen, directed by Ravi Raj Murmu, won the Best Debut Film of a Director award in the Non-Feature Film category at the 72nd National Film Awards, announced in New Delhi on Saturday, 18 July 2026**.The awards, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, honour the best Indian films certified in 2024 across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema. Angen received the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) along with a cash prize of ₹3 lakh for the director.

A Landmark Achievement for Jharkhand

The award marks one of the most significant national recognitions for a Santhali-language film from Jharkhand. It brings attention to the state’s indigenous filmmaking tradition and highlights the growing contribution of tribal filmmakers to Indian cinema. The achievement is widely regarded as a milestone for Santhali cinema, which has developed with limited financial resources, production infrastructure and distribution opportunities.

Celebrating Indigenous Stories

Angen reflects the cultural identity, traditions and lived experiences of the Santhal community. Through its use of the Santhali language and indigenous storytelling, the film demonstrates the importance of preserving tribal heritage through cinema. Its recognition at the National Film Awards shows that regional and indigenous stories can earn appreciation at the highest national level.

Significance of the Award

The National Film Awards are among India’s highest honours in cinema. In the non-feature section, the Best Debut Film of a Director award recognises an outstanding first directorial work. Since the 70th National Film Awards, the honour has been presented with the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus), recognising excellence in debut filmmaking.

A Boost for Santhali and Regional Cinema

The success of Angen is expected to encourage more filmmakers to produce films in the Santhali language and other indigenous languages of India. Greater recognition can help attract support for regional cinema, promote cultural preservation, create opportunities for local artists and technicians, and expand audiences for indigenous films through film festivals and digital platforms.

The National Film Award received by Angen represents an important moment for Santhali cinema, demonstrating that indigenous languages and local stories continue to gain recognition within India’s diverse film landscape.