West Bengal Governor and Chief Minister shower Bengali filmmaker Anuparna Roy with appreciation for Venice win

The West Bengal Governor and Chief Minister congratulate director Anuparna Roy for winning the coveted award at the Venice Film Festival. Politicians from the State showered her with appreciation after the Bengali filmmaker from Purulia’s Narayanpur village won laurels at the international film festival. 

“No Indian director before her has received this honor in this category. Her parents live in Kulti, with roots in the Junglemahal region, in Rangaamati. I believe her crowning achievement is a victory for the girls of our Bengal,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on her social media handle X on Monday (September 8, 2025) and voiced her appreciation for the director. 

The Bengali director made history with her win at the prestigious Orizzonti Award for Best Director for feature “Songs of Forgotten Trees” on Sunday (September 7, 2025). Ms. Banerjee said that Ms. Roy’s win is practically like a conquest of the world of cinema at a global stage. 

In her acceptance speech, the director dedicated the award to her hometown and her country. 

Governor C.V. Ananda Bose also congratulating Ms. Roy for her prestigious award and shared his best wishes on social media. 

“Ms Roy has brought glory to her native place, Purulia and West Bengal while becoming the first Indian to win the Award,” a post from the Jana Raj Bhavan Media Cell of West Bengal said on Monday (September 8, 2025).