The electrifying beats of popular Bhojpuri songs like “Hello Guys…,” “Saiyaan Manawan Karas…,” “Rajaji Ke Dilwa…” and “Haan Hum Bihari Hain” set the stage ablaze at Patna’s Bapu Sabhagar as Bhojpuri stars enthralled the audience with their spectacular performances. Artists including Anu Ojha, Divya Singh, Chahat Raj, Mahi Khan, Aryan Babu, and Amrish Singh delivered high-energy dance performances that had the crowd dancing along. From children and youth to women and the elderly, everyone joined in the celebration.
Amid dazzling lights, a crowd of thousands, and the presence of Bhojpuri cinema’s biggest stars, the evening created unforgettable moments for the people of Patna and Bihar. When stars descend from the sky to the earth, magic happens—and when Bhojpuri cinema’s leading stars share one stage, the result is the grand spectacle known as the Saras Salil Bhojpuri Cine Awards.
The 7th Saras Salil Bhojpuri Cine Awards was held with great grandeur in Bihar’s capital, Patna, on March 15. The ceremony, hosted at Bapu Sabhagar, began at 6 PM and turned the Sunday holiday into a celebration dedicated to Bhojpuri artists. Nearly 5,000 spectators stayed until late night, dancing and enjoying every moment of the vibrant event. The overwhelming response from audiences once again reaffirmed Delhi Press’s vision of giving Indian regional cinema a national and international identity. The love and trust of millions of readers continue to be the strength of Delhi Press.
A Colorful Cultural Evening
Following the grand inauguration of the event, Mr. Paresh Nath, Editor-in-cheif from Delhi Press, welcomed the guests and artists with an opening address. Bhanu Prakash Rana introduced the Delhi Press Group, highlighting its rich publishing legacy and its contributions to journalism. Vivek Pandey extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and performers, while Brihaspati Kumar Pandey explained the award selection process, emphasizing that all honors were decided through a transparent and impartial jury system.
During the ceremony, around 80 awards across various categories were presented to artists and professionals associated with Bhojpuri cinema and its technical fields in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
Bhojpuri Cinema Reflects the Essence of Folk Life
The Chief Guest, Dr. Prem Kumar, Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, along with Sh. Sanjay Singh (Minister of Labor Resources) and IMPAA President Sh. Abhay Sinha, graced the ceremony with their presence.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Prem Kumar said, “Bhojpuri cinema is not merely a medium of entertainment; it also reflects the essence of Indian folk life through regional cinema.” He also urged filmmakers and artists to create content that conveys positive messages to society.
Encouraging Artists Through Recognition
Minister Sh. Sanjay Singh noted that the popularity of the Bhojpuri language and culture is growing rapidly. “Events like these provide encouragement to artists. Cinema keeps the spirit of Indian culture alive”, he said.
IMPAA President Abhay Sinha highlighted the growing potential of the Bhojpuri film industry, stating that Bhojpuri cinema is becoming technically stronger and its audience base is continuously expanding.
Introduction of New Award Categories
Mr. Anant Nath, Executive Publisher of Delhi Press, explained that with the growing importance of digital platforms, it is important to recognize artists associated with digital content as well. Accordingly, the awards were divided into three major segments this year:
- Films released in theatres
- Content released on OTT platforms
- Films and content released on YouTube and television platforms
Under these segments, awards were presented across multiple categories honoring actors, directors, singers, technicians, and other creative professionals.
Stars Dazzle with Performances
The evening was filled with spectacular performances by Bhojpuri stars including Anu Ojha, Sthapika Rai, Aryan Babu, Mahi Khan, and Amrish Singh, who danced to their hit songs. Singers Nisha Upadhyay, Monu Albela, Khushi Kakkar, Anupama Yadav, and Priyanka Singh added musical charm to the celebration with their soulful performances.
Traditional Bhojpuri cultural presentations, folk songs, and folk dance performances added a vibrant regional flavor to the evening, transforming the event into a celebration of culture that transcended regional boundaries and resonated on a national and international level.
Awards Honouring Excellence
The Saras Salil Bhojpuri Cine Awards honored many prominent personalities of the Bhojpuri film industry for their outstanding contributions. Several popular actors, actresses, singers, and technicians received accolades. Among the award winners were Manu Krishna, Sanjeev Boharpi, Om Jha, and Arvind Akela ‘Kallu’, among others.
Rising Influence of Bhojpuri and Regional Cinema
India’s film culture is not limited to Bollywood alone. Films made in diverse regional languages portray the true social and cultural fabric of the country. Regional cinema plays a crucial role in preserving India’s cultural heritage. Bhojpuri cinema, in particular, resonates with the emotions and everyday lives of millions of people across North India.
Today, Bhojpuri films are gaining popularity not only in India but also among Bhojpuri-speaking communities in countries such as Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Trinidad, the United States, and Gulf nations.
The Journey of Saras Salil Bhojpuri Cine Awards.
Saras Salil, a popular Hindi magazine from the Delhi Press Group, presents content focused on youth, society, and contemporary issues. The magazine communicates themes of social awareness, entertainment, literature, lifestyle, and public interest in a simple and engaging language.
The Saras Salil Bhojpuri Cine Awards were launched in 2020 with the aim of encouraging Bhojpuri artists and promoting regional cinema. Since then, successful editions of the awards have been organized in Ayodhya, Basti, and Lucknow. With each passing year, the event has gained greater popularity and scale. The Patna edition further elevated the awards to a grand celebration of Bhojpuri cinema.
Support from Sponsors
The event was made even more spectacular with the support of its partners. Savera joined as the Presenting Partner, Senco Gold & Diamonds as the Jewellery Partner, and STAGE as the OTT Partner.
The auditorium shone brightly with the presence of thousands of spectators and representatives from various media organizations who covered the event. The ceremony was hosted by Shubham Tiwari and Mahi Khan.
The Saras Salil Bhojpuri Cine Awards has emerged as a platform of inspiration for artists, celebrating achievements in cinema while also showcasing the growing popularity and promising future of Bhojpuri cinema. The grand event reaffirmed that Bhojpuri cinema is a dynamic and rapidly evolving film industry, ready to carve a distinct place on the larger stage of Indian cinema.
The ceremony held in Patna stood as a magnificent celebration of the talent, popularity, and cultural richness of the Bhojpuri film industry.
