Odisha Govt Charts Roadmap to Revive Odia Film Industry

Bhubaneswar: In a major push to rejuvenate the Odia film industry, the Odisha government has unveiled a comprehensive plan focusing on institutional reforms, digital expansion, and support for artistic talent. A high-level meeting held at Sanskruti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, organised by the Department of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, brought together leading voices from the film fraternity to chart a sustainable path forward.

The meeting, chaired by actor and MLA Siddhant Mahapatra, saw participation from actors, filmmakers, producers, musicians, and senior government officials. Discussions centred on making the Odisha State Film Awards an annual and transparent event, revamping the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC), boosting OTT presence, and creating a modern film policy to support the industry’s revival.

Revival of Odisha State Film Awards :

A core proposal was to ensure the Odisha State Film Awards are conferred every year without delays. Stakeholders recommended a more inclusive jury, comprising young professionals and experts from the creative sector, and increasing the award's prize money. A dedicated website was also proposed to provide open access to jury criteria, nominations, and winner information—enhancing transparency and public engagement.

New Film Policy and Financial Support :

A new film policy is under development to address long-standing challenges in the Odia film industry, such as limited funding and poor distribution. Stakeholders called for government incentives to encourage filmmakers who explore Odisha’s culture and history. Suggestions also included the modernisation of Kalinga Studio into a state-of-the-art facility and streamlining OFDC's operations to better support the creative process.

Digital Expansion and Infrastructure Growth :

Recognising the power of OTT and digital platforms, the meeting advocated strong support for Odia content creators online. Plans to tie up with national and international OTT platforms to showcase Odia films globally were also discussed. Furthermore, proposals to build more cinema halls across the state and ensure affordable ticket pricing were tabled to improve audience access.

Youth Involvement and Cultural Focus :

A key theme was the involvement of youth in the filmmaking process and in the award jury. The industry plans to prioritise films based on contemporary Odia stories that connect with the younger generation, reinforcing regional identity while exploring new creative directions.

Voices of the Industry :

The meeting included insights from industry stalwarts like Arindam Roy, Archita Sahu, Sabyasachi Mishra, Anu Choudhury, and music director Debashish Mahapatra. Senior officials from the Culture Department, including Director Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, also assured continued administrative support.

Siddhant Mahapatra concluded, “This is a new beginning. With government collaboration and industry participation, Odia cinema can once again thrive and reach global audiences.”

This roadmap sets the stage for a creative renaissance in Odisha's film sector.