Bhubaneswar: Bollywood biopic ‘Gour Hari Dastaan’, based on the life struggle of Odia freedom fighter Gour Hari Das, was screened during the Odisha Excellence Award 2018 festival at Rabindra Mandap here recently. The film is directed by Anant Mahadevan.
Gour Hari Das, who has been living in Mumbai since 1952, was also present among the audience during the screening on October 15.
The movie screening was a part of the Odisha Excellence Award 2018 organised by Odisha’s leading media and publication house, Odia Media.
The first ever Odisha Excellence Award was conferred to 17 Odia personalities and three organisations from Odisha in an event.
Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal inaugurated the award festival and gave away all 20 awards.
Freedom fighter, Gour Hari Das was present as a guest. Odia Media director Subhransu Panda also shared the stage.
The film stars veteran actor Vinay Pathak in the lead role, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ranvir Shorey, Rajit Kapur, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Saurabh Shukla, Asrani, Vikram Gokhale and Viju Khote among others.
Devdas Chhotray received the award for excellence in literature and Sampad Mohapatra for excellence in journalism.
The Governor felicitated freedom fighter Gour Hari Das. Prof Ganeshi Lal touched the feet of Das while felicitating him, winning the hearts of the audience with his simplicity and humility.
A souvenir edited by the festival coordinator Gayatri Mavuru was also released by guests on the occasion.
Festival director Subhransu Panda, delivered the welcome address.
Santanu Ganguly, film curator from New Delhi, delivered a brief introduction prior to the screening of the movie. Poet and lyricist Devdas Chhotray gave the concluding remarks after the screening. An overwhelmed audience paid a one minute standing ovation to Gour Hari Das.
Noted poet Ramakanta Rath and veteran singer Pranab Patnaik were present, among others.
Authors, artists, theatre enthusiasts, filmmakers, musicians, social activists and intellectuals from different walks of life were also present.
