The National Award-Winning Film 'Angen'
Culture · Tuesday, 21 July 2026
The Santhali-language film 'Angen' won a National Film Award, marking a milestone for indigenous cinema in India.
Quick highlights
- 'Angen' is the first Santhali-language film to win a National Film Award.
- Directed by Ravi Raj Murmu, a graduate of FTII, Pune.
- The film is inspired by a mystical Santhali folktale.
- Highlights issues of migration and loss of cultural identity.
- Promotes indigenous storytelling and Santhali culture.
Context
For the first time in Indian cinema history, a Santhali-language film titled Angen (Invisible) won a National Film Award.
Key Facts
Angen is a 12-minute Santhali short film inspired by a mystical indigenous folktale. It won the Best Debut Film of a Director in the Non-Feature Category.
Significance
The award brings mainstream recognition to Santhali cinema, promoting tribal-language films and indigenous storytelling.
Challenges / Way Forward
Encourage preservation of indigenous cultures through cinema and support regional filmmakers.
Exam Angle
GS Paper I: Culture - Tribal culture, indigenous languages, and regional cinema.
Remember this
- 'Angen' is the first Santhali-language film to win a National Film Award.
- Directed by Ravi Raj Murmu, an FTII graduate from Jharkhand.
- The film is inspired by a mystical Santhali folktale.
- Highlights migration and loss of cultural identity.
- Promotes Santhali culture and indigenous storytelling.