Kalinga Studio gets a modern makeover as Odisha renews push for film industry

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s filmmakers can now access a wider range of modern production facilities within the state with the redevelopment of Kalinga Studio, inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday.

The revamped studio, equipped with facilities for shooting, sound recording, dubbing, editing and post-production, is aimed at giving a fresh impetus to the state’s film industry and reducing the need for filmmakers to travel outside Odisha for technical requirements.

Alongside the upgraded studio, the Chief Minister inaugurated a cinema archive and museum, dedicated to documenting and preserving the state’s cinematic heritage through old films, posters, photographs and historical records.

Majhi said the modern facilities would help Odia filmmakers meet several technical requirements locally. He added that the government plans to further expand the infrastructure at Kalinga Studio in the coming days.

Modern facilities for filmmakers

The redeveloped complex has been planned as a one-stop film production facility, with indoor shooting floors, a snow house, chroma floor and a technology zone.

It also offers facilities for sound recording, dubbing, editing and other post-production activities, providing filmmakers with infrastructure covering different stages of production under one roof.

Preserving the history of Odia cinema

Speaking at the inauguration, Majhi recalled the contribution of Odia cinema to the state’s cultural identity and highlighted the strong link between literature and filmmaking during the 1950s and 1960s.

He referred to films such as Maa, Amadabata and Matira Manisha while underlining the importance of preserving the legacy of earlier generations of filmmakers.

The archive and museum at Kalinga Studio is intended to safeguard this history by preserving films, posters, photographs and other documents associated with Odia cinema.

Kalinga Studio was established in 1980 as a dedicated film production facility in Odisha. Majhi said natural calamities and rapid technological changes over the years made redevelopment necessary.

Focus on young talent

The Chief Minister expressed confidence in the state’s emerging filmmakers and creative professionals, noting their growing capabilities in acting, direction, cinematography, animation, sound design and digital storytelling.

He urged young filmmakers to use the upgraded infrastructure to develop original productions drawing from Odisha’s folklore, history, culture and local stories.

The modernisation, he said, should help create an ecosystem where Odisha’s talent can produce content without having to look outside the state for essential technical facilities.

Film sector seen as employment generator

Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said Kalinga Studio had been developed as an ultra-modern film complex capable of catering to requirements from production through post-production.

He said the film industry should be seen as more than entertainment, pointing to its potential as a large economic ecosystem capable of generating employment and supporting economic growth.

The upgraded infrastructure could create opportunities across technical, creative and allied sectors associated with filmmaking, he added.

OFDC portal launched

Majhi also launched the new official portal of the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) during the event.

The redevelopment of Kalinga Studio, coupled with the new archive and museum, marks an effort to strengthen both the infrastructure and institutional support available to Odisha’s film sector.

The event was attended by Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Digapahandi MLA Siddhant Mahapatra, Korei MLA Akash Das Nayak, Industries Department Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma and Kalinga Studio Managing Director Surendra Kumar Panda, among others.