Riha, a 30-minute short film inspired by the life of triple talaq activist Zakia Soman, has won Best Short Film — Hindi at the Zee Short Film Awards 2026, held recently in Mumbai.Zakia Soman is a women’s rights activist and the founder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a non-governmental women’s rights organization.Selected from over 12,000 entries across India, including nearly 7,000 Hindi films, Riha received the award from filmmaker and jury member Anurag Kashyap, who called it “literally a perfect 10.”Directed by self-taught filmmaker Arastu Zakia, Riha follows a woman trapped in an abusive marriage who encounters a triple talaq survivor. The film is a tribute to Zakia Soman and the resilience of women fighting for freedom and dignity. Published - June 13, 2026 11:47 am IST