Odia Film Baghuni Unveiled at Cannes, Marks Historic International Milestone for Odisha Cinema

Cannes, France: Odisha’s regional cinema witnessed a proud moment on the international stage as the first look of Baghuni (Dance Like a Tiger), an Odia feature film, was unveiled at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The film’s debut took place at the Bharat Pavilion, organized by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. This marks the first-ever Indo-UK co-production from Odisha to be officially announced at this prestigious global platform.

The launch event was attended by prominent names from the Indian and international film fraternity. Present at the unveiling were director and producer Jitendra Mishra, producer Partha Panda, celebrated filmmaker and IFFI Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das, Sreerag M., Officer on Special Duty (Films), Ministry of I&B, Gautam Bhanot, GM – Film Promotions and International Participation at NFDC, and Vineeta Mishra, Head of Programming at NFDC Film Bazaar, among other dignitaries.

Baghuni tells a compelling story of resilience, courage, and the fight against deep-rooted conservative traditions. The film is written and directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jitendra Mishra and is being co-produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), Glocal Films UK Limited founded by London-based producer Partha Panda, and Mishra’s own banner, Cinema4Good Pvt. Ltd. It marks NFDC’s return to Odisha after a gap of 23 years, bringing renewed focus on storytelling from the region.

Leading the cast is Odisha’s popular actor Sabyasachi Mishra, supported by a distinguished team of National Award-winning professionals. Sound design is led by Subash Sahoo, production design by Sukant Panigrahy, and music composition by Prem Anand. The script has been co-written by Shankhajeet De and Dr. Sulagna Mohany, with acclaimed filmmaker Utpal Borpujari serving as script consultant and Susanta Mani penning the dialogues.

The film is scheduled to be shot entirely across Odisha and London during September and October this year. It will be produced in multiple languages including Odia, Sambalpuri, Koshli, and Hindi. In addition to highlighting Odisha’s rich cultural landscape, the project is also set to employ local actors, technicians, and creative professionals in collaboration with international talent.

Baghuni was previously selected for the prestigious Film Bazaar in 2023, held alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. It was among 20 feature film projects from 11 countries chosen for the co-production market during the 17th edition, reinforcing its potential for global impact.

The filmmakers emphasized that Baghuni aims to elevate the art, culture, and heritage of Odisha on the world stage. They described it as a story of unwavering determination and a sincere attempt to create international opportunities for regional stories and talent. “We are proud to collaborate with NFDC on our dream project,” said the producers.

NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum remarked that Baghuni exemplifies the growing global resonance of regional Indian cinema. He noted that the film showcases India’s narrative diversity and underlines NFDC’s commitment to supporting unique voices and creating opportunities for Indian filmmakers on the international stage.

NFDC, established to support the good cinema movement in India, has been instrumental in producing and promoting over 300 films across various Indian languages. With Baghuni, the organization continues its legacy of nurturing cinematic excellence and promoting cultural diversity through powerful storytelling.

Jitendra Mishra, through his initiative Cinema4Good, has been involved in over 50 national and international films in various capacities. His notable works include I Am Kalam, The Last Color, Buried Seeds, Desires of the Heart, and Barefoot Empress. Producer Partha Panda, originally from Odisha and now based in London, has long been engaged in promoting Indian art and cinema through numerous socio-cultural projects in the UK.