Mumbai-based Assamese actress Urmila Mahanta won the best artiste award for her critical roles in Antareen and Bokul at the first edition of the Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards organised at the district library in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Monjul Baruah directed Antareen was adjudged the best film while filmmaker Manju Borah was honoured with the best director award for her film ‘Dau Huduni Methai’. The best technician award was given to Jatin Sarma for his work in the same film.
“It was a great feeling to have won the best artiste award at the inaugural edition of Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards. I am grateful to the jury for this award,” said Urmila after receiving the award.
Actor Ashok Das and music director Saurav Mahanta were awarded with jury’s special mention for their work in Cactus and Nodi Matho Boi respectively.
Acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Barua, who was present during the occasion, said that Sailadhar Baruah was one of the greatest producers from Assam. “I am lucky to have worked with him. I don’t know if I could have continued making films had I not met him. It was destiny that I met him and the journey continued,” said Barua.
The awards were instituted by the Sailadhar Barua Trust. Sailadhar Baruah was a prominent filmmaker who along with Jahnu Barua made several award winning films and brought laurels for the state. Baruah passed away on January 10, 2010.
Award winning actor Bishnu Kharghoria, who acted in some of critically acclaimed films, was also present on the occasion.
