Shikha Yadav
Chatra-born filmmaker Avishkar Amar
Ranchi: Chatra-born filmmaker Avishkar Amar’s period drama Nayki has been selected for the ARFF International Film Festival Paris 2026 and the 7th India International Star Film Festival Awards (IISFFA) 2026. The film has also been nominated for Best Film at ARFF Paris and Best Director at the Kolkata Film Festival. Nayki premiered in the UK on Wednesday and has been released in the USA and Australia.The 38-year-old filmmaker, who hails from Itkhori in Chatra district and is a mass communication graduate of Karim City College, Jamshedpur, said Nayki tells the story of Rani Naiki Devi of the Solanki dynasty, a 12th-century queen known for leading her forces against invading armies. Amar said the queen remains relatively lesser-known despite her role in the history of Gujarat and her association with women’s courage and leadership.Amar began his career in Mumbai in 2007 starting out with television productions. He later directed projects associated with Savdhaan India. He has directed over 24 television serials, besides working on advertising films and music videos, and has received recognition at several international platforms.Amar said, “I decided to pursue a creative career when he was 10.” His message to aspiring filmmakers in Jharkhand is to aim beyond conventional limitations. “Many films show Jharkhand as a poor state. But Jharkhand is far beyond that. We can use its natural landscapes and culture while telling good stories,” he saidHe urged creators from the state to “dream big and keep working to make those dreams a reality.”
