Pradip Kurbah Of Meghalaya Bags Top Honours in Moscow
National Award-winning filmmaker Pradip Kurbah from Meghalaya wins big at the 47th Moscow International Film Festival, bagging Best Film and Best Director for Ha Lyngkha Bneng.
Well, it’s not every day that a chap from the rolling hills of Meghalaya pops off to Moscow and returns with a pair of prestigious international film awards tucked under his arm – but that’s exactly what filmmaker Pradip Kurbah has done, and by Jove, hasn’t he made a splash!
At the 47th Moscow International Film Festival – yes, the one with the samovars and snow – Kurbah’s latest cinematic gem, Ha Lyngkha Bneng, bowled over the jury and walked away with the Best Film award. As if that wasn’t enough to make one puff up with pride like a well-fed pigeon, Kurbah himself was crowned Best Director by NETPAC – the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema.
Now, this isn’t Kurbah’s first rodeo. The self-taught storyteller had already wooed cinephiles across India with a National Award back in 2014. But this Moscow manoeuvre? Well, it’s the cherry on top of a rather well-baked cake.
Ha Lyngkha Bneng – which roughly translates to The Wind of the Heavens (poetic, innit?) – is a love letter to the culture, people, and soul of Meghalaya. With Kurbah at the helm, it’s little wonder the film soared like an eagle over the Russian tundra.
The man of the moment, Bah Pradip himself, was – in his own words – “overwhelmed, humbled, and filled with gratitude.” Posting to his social media handle (as one does when one’s won a brace of international awards), he wrote: “To say this is a dream come true would still fall short of what I feel right now.” One suspects there may have been a few moist eyes and celebratory cups of tea shared amongst the crew.
But Kurbah, ever the gentleman, didn’t hog the limelight. He dedicated his success to the people of Meghalaya and his hardworking film team. “This award is yours too,” he said, in the kind of heartfelt statement that would make even the iciest Moscow jury warm up.
Now, making a film – let alone a corker like Ha Lyngkha Bneng – isn’t exactly a walk in the park, especially with the budget tighter than a drum. Thankfully, the state government chipped in with ₹30 lakh in support.
Indeed. In a world increasingly clogged with cookie-cutter cinema and bloated budgets, Kurbah’s triumph is a breath of fresh Shillong air. It proves that stories rooted in authenticity, told with heart and crafted with care, still have the power to cross borders and win hearts.
So here’s raising a virtual mug of steaming red tea to Pradip Kurbah – director, dreamer, and cultural ambassador extraordinaire. Moscow may have the Red Square, but Meghalaya now has a gold-plated reason to celebrate.
And if this doesn’t inspire the next generation of storytellers from the North-East, nothing will. Bravo, Bah Pradip. You’ve done us all proud.
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