Duronto: Movie on Budhia Singh wins National Film Award

Odia filmmaker Soumendra Padhi’s Hindi movie ‘Duronto’ bagged 63rd National Film Award for the best children’s film this year.

Mumbai-based Padhi’s biopic portrays the story of Budhia Singh, world’s youngest marathon runner, who made headlines in 2006 by running from Bhubaneswar to Puri at a tender age of four in seven hours and two minutes.

Padhi said his film deals with the phase of Budhia’s life when he met his coach Biranchi Das, his rise as a child prodigy and his subsequent downfall. Child actor Mayur essays Budhia’s role while Tillotama Shome plays the boy’s mother Sukanti Singh. A major portion of the movie has been shot in Bhubaneswar.

An elated Manoj Bajpai, who plays the role of Biranchi Das, said he is eagerly waiting for the film’s release this year to know people’s response to the story.

With the film becoming the Best Children’s Film at the 63rd National Film Awards announced today, Padhi hopes that it will help garner support for the child prodigy, who has faded into oblivion.

WATCH: Trailer of Budhia Singh – Born To Run movie feat. Manoj Bajpayee

Padhi would get Swarna Kamal and cash reward of Rs 1,50,000.