Orissa is the flavour of the year at the 41st International Film Festival of India here. The IFFI is celebrating the platinum jubilee of the low-profile Oriya film industry with a special screening of its films.
Known for its musicals and social dramas, the Oriya film industry has not hit the headlines in the manner of films from other regions, notably Bengal and Kerala. Now, the State government has stepped in to encourage the industry.
Speaking to journalists at IFFI, Orissa Minister of Information and Public Relations Prafulla Samal said: “We will build more cinema halls in the State to give a fillip to the industry. More than 300 mini-theatres shall be built at every block.”
Orissa has only 81 cinema halls, which compares very unfavourably with other regions, notably the National Capital Region which has more than 100 theatres in less than half the area.
Expressing the need to widen the cinema network in Orissa, Mr. Samal promised to make the State more friendly for filmmakers and invited them to shoot at Konark, Puri, Gopalpur and Bhubaneswar. It may be recalled that the first Oriya film Sita Bibah was made way back in 1936 by Mohan Sunder Deb. Best Oriya films, including Adi Mimamsa , Indradhanur Chai , Jianta Bhoota , Klanta Apranha and Maya Miriga , will be screened.
“We are happy to include the Oriya industry in IFFI 2010, as it is celebrating its platinum jubilee,” said festival director S.M. Khan. He said that around 35 films are produced annually. Veteran Oriya actor Gloria Mahapatra, noted directors Nirad Mahapatra, A.K. Bir and Prasant Nanda were felicitated at the festival.
