Ellanar Films’ critically acclaimed short film Giddh – The Scavenger has achieved a major milestone by winning the 71st National Film Award for Best Short Film (Hindi). Produced by Radhika Lavu and starring veteran actor Sanjay Mishra, the 24-minute Hindi drama, directed by Manish Saini, explores the stark collision between hunger and guilt in a way that transcends language and borders.
Giddh has already made waves on the international circuit, winning Best Short Film at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2023 and earning a qualification for the Academy Awards. It has also been selected at prestigious festivals such as LA Shorts International, Bengaluru International, and the Rhode Island International Film Festival, while also bagging two awards at the Critics Choice Awards. Now, with this National Award, the film cements its place as one of the most important Indian shorts of the year.
Reacting to the win, producer Radhika Lavu, founder of Ellanar Films, said: “Receiving the 71st National Film Award is an overwhelming honor and a defining milestone for all of us at Ellanar Films. The National Awards represent the highest recognition in Indian cinema, and this win validates the passion and perseverance that went into bringing this story to life. Giddh explores the fragile line between survival and morality—a theme that resonates far beyond language or borders. I am deeply grateful to our visionary director Manish Saini, the extraordinary Sanjay Mishra Sir, and every member of our crew who poured their hearts into this project.”
She further added: “This award is a celebration of the power of Indian storytelling. It reaffirms Ellanar Films’ mission to champion fearless narratives and nurture diverse voices that can touch audiences across the world.”
Recognized as one of India's leading young producers and a BusinessWorld 40 Under 40 honoree, Radhika Lavu has emerged as a creative force in Indian cinema. Her production house Ellanar Films is known for curating compelling content across languages, with previous successes including Gods of Dharmapuri (Zee5), Unheard (Disney+ Hotstar), and Adrishya Jalakangal (Netflix). Most recently, the studio’s Amazon Original Telugu film Uppu Kappurambu, featuring Keerthy Suresh and Suhas, has garnered widespread acclaim.
With Giddh, Radhika Lavu continues to push the boundaries of Indian storytelling, proving that short films can hold deep emotional and societal weight. Ellanar Films remains committed to producing rich, diverse narratives with upcoming projects like Dvija (Malayalam) and Minimum (Hindi), promising more cinematic excellence in the near future.