Stakeholders Convene in Bhubaneswar to Chart Roadmap for Revitalizing Odia Film Industry

Bhubaneswar: To rejuvenate and promote Odia cinema, a comprehensive meeting was held today at the Sanskruti Bhavan conference hall under the leadership of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department. The session focused on strategic planning for the growth, recognition, and modernization of Odisha’s film industry.

The meeting was chaired by renowned Odia actor and Digapahandi MLA, Sidhanta Mohapatra, and witnessed active participation from leading figures of the state’s film fraternity—including producers, directors, actors, writers, and musicians—who shared vital suggestions to boost the sector’s development.

Participants emphasized the timely and annual conferment of the Odisha State Film Awards, with suggestions to revamp the award process by involving art and film professionals, particularly young talents, as jury members and chairpersons. Proposals were also made to increase cash prizes, expand the number of award categories beyond the existing 33, and create a dedicated online portal to document nominated and winning films and artists.

The meeting further deliberated on:

• Introducing a new film policy to attract and support filmmakers.
• Providing government subsidies to encourage local film production.
• Revamping the Odisha Film Development Corporation Ltd. to streamline support for filmmakers.
• Upgrading the Kalinga Studio infrastructure to meet modern production standards.

Stakeholders underscored the need to improve production infrastructure, build more cinema halls, and make ticket pricing more affordable to increase audience turnout. Proposals were also made to establish:

• A dedicated film archive for preserving Odia cinema heritage.
• A separate platform to support and promote OTT and digital content.

Several attendees also advocated for government support in producing films rooted in authentic Odia narratives and highlighted the importance of empowering artists and workers across the film ecosystem.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on implementing strategic initiatives that would not only revitalize the Odia film industry but also contribute to cultural preservation and public entertainment. It was agreed that a cohesive and forward-thinking policy framework would be key to unlocking the industry’s potential.

Among the prominent attendees were film personalities Arindam Roy, Shritam Das, Sabyasachi Mishra, Harihar Mohapatra, and actresses Archita Sahu, Pinky Pradhan, and Anu Choudhury. Also present were musician Debasish Mahapatra, Panchanan Nayak, former Doordarshan Director Deepti Mishra, and top government officials including Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya (Director, Culture Department), Special Secretary Deba Prasad Dash, Deputy Director Devjani Bhuyan, and Dr. Chandrasekhar Hota (Secretary, Odisha Sahitya Akademi).