Dept shift plan to help revive Odia film industry | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: With an aim to revive the glory of Odia cinema, the state govt is planning to bring the film industry under the administrative control of Odia language, literature and culture department.The film department is currently under the industries department.“We discussed how the shift will give more focus and attention to cinema and proper management,” said Deba Prasad Dash, special secretary of the culture department during a meeting with leading voices from the film fraternity.During the meeting, various steps were discussed to revive Odia cinema by ensuring institutional support, policy reforms and infrastructural upgrades.Sources said the film industry, with an annual collective budget of around Rs 50 crore, remained sidelined under the industries department, which primarily focuses on large-scale projects worth thousands of crores. This neglect over the years resulted in the regional film industry being deprived of much-needed recognition, resources and policy attention.“Film as a medium of entertainment represents Odia language, literature, and culture. Under the culture department, the film industry will get the kind of attention, focus, and priority needed, and we are hopeful of reviving the past glory of Odia cinema,” said actor-turned-politician and BJP MLA Sidhant Mohapatra.Another key issue raised was the timely and annual organisation of the Odisha State Film Awards. Participants urged that jury members and chairpersons be selected from among those actively engaged in the field of art and cinema, particularly the youth. Suggestions were also made to enhance the prestige of the awards by enhancing the cash prize, expanding the awards beyond the current 33 categories, and launching a dedicated website to archive details of nominated and award-winning films and artists.Dash said members of the film fraternity also expressed displeasure over the renovation of Kalinga Studio. “Participants also emphasised the need for a comprehensive new film policy and called for govt subsidies for film production, and strengthening the functioning of the Odisha Film Development Corporation Ltd,” he said.
