Jamshedpur: Jharkhand had a reason to celebrate as East Singhbhum-born filmmaker Ravi Raj Murmu received the ‘Best Debut Film of a Director’ award for his 12-minute Santali short film ‘Angen’ (Invisible) in the 72nd National Film Awards announced on Saturday.CM Hemant Soren congratulated Murmu, calling the honour a proud moment for Jharkhand and Santali language. He said the award was not merely a personal milestone for the filmmaker, but national recognition of Santali culture, language and storytelling. “Through Angen, he has beautifully showcased the richness of Santali language, culture and storytelling on the national stage,” Hemant said, adding that the recognition strengthens Jharkhand’s identity as a growing hub of indigenous cinema.Inspired by Santali folklore and tribal traditions, ‘Angen’ tells the story of a celestial maiden who falls in love with a shepherd and uses her supernatural powers to take him to the heavenly realm. When the enchantment breaks, his struggle to return to Earth drives the film’s emotional arc.The film stars Ramchandra Mardi, Saloni, Jeetray Hansda and Phoolmani. Its songs were written by Santali litterateur, lyricist and folk singer Durgaprasad Murmu. Nunaram composed the music, while Nishant Ram Teke was music director.Murmu, 33, a native of Jaduguda in Potka block, studied mass communication at Karim City College, Jamshedpur, before specialising in film editing at FTII, Pune. Now based in Mumbai, he works as a creative editor and hopes to push for a comprehensive film policy to promote indigenous cinema in Jharkhand.
