Bhubaneswar: In an attempt to revive the Odia film industry, Odisha Chalachitra Mahasangha (OCM), an association of filmmakers, directors, actors and technicians, has submitted a comprehensive draft film policy to the state government, urging for a swift revision of state’s existing film policy to revive audience’s interest in regional cinema.
In a bid to address the myriad challenges faced by the industry, OCM wanted the new govt to promote Odia films.“The Odia film industry has the potential to flourish again and to bring back the golden era, but we need the government’s support to create a conducive environment for filmmakers. Odia films have started overcoming the tag of ‘copy-paste film’ in the last few years and young filmmakers are making remarkable films based on original stories. Our proposed policy is designed to address financial and infrastructural challenges that have been hindering the industry’s growth,” veteran filmmaker Sabyasachi Mohapatra said while speaking to media persons here on Thursday.
The draft policy, submitted to industries minister Sampad Chandra Swain earlier this week, referred to successful models of other states like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and has proposed a range of supportive measures. Among the key recommendations are the provision of soft loans, subsidies for filmmakers and the establishment of multipurpose cinema halls in each block of the state.
“We have also urged the government to remodify Kalinga Studio and make it appropriate for filmmaking,” Sritam Das, actor and secretary of Odisha Cine Artists’ Association, said.
OCM also proposed formation of a high-level committee comprising representatives from various government departments. This committee will act as a single window to streamline the process of obtaining necessary permissions for filmmakers. They also urged the govt to ensure better coordination between filmmakers, distributors and cinema hall owners. The proposed establishment of multipurpose cinema halls in each block will help Odia films reach the audience. These halls would serve as cultural hubs, promoting not just films but also other forms of art and entertainment, sources said.
“If Tamil and Telugu film industries can generate huge revenues, why can’t the Odia film industry. The industry has the potential to generate jobs and give boost to the local economy. We discussed the challenges and probable solutions and will take a decision in this regard soon,” Swain said.

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