Bhubaneswar: The future of Odia cinema took center stage today at a significant meeting held at Sanskruti Bhavan’s conference hall, organized by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department.
With an emphasis on expanding the reach of Odia films in the digital age, the meeting explored ways to enhance the promotion of Odia cinema, while placing a strong focus on OTT (Over-the-Top) platforms and digital content.
The meeting, presided over by renowned Odia film actor and Digapahandi MLA Sidhanta Mohapatra, saw participation from key figures in the film industry, including producers, directors, actors, actresses, writers, and musicians. Together, they discussed several strategies for Odia cinema’s evolution, emphasizing the growing importance of digital platforms.
Among the key discussions were:
- Expanding the presence of Odia cinema on OTT platforms to reach a global audience.
- The development of a dedicated platform to showcase and promote Odia digital content, especially films, web series, and short films.
- Proposals to support the production of content specifically designed for digital platforms and to streamline the process for filmmakers to distribute their work digitally.
- Increasing the number of cinema halls while keeping digital platforms in mind for broader access.
- Creating a platform to enhance the promotion of Odia content, specifically for digital consumption, to meet the growing demand in the OTT space.
The meeting also addressed the need for government support in producing films rooted in authentic Odia stories. There were suggestions for creating a sustainable ecosystem for filmmakers, including subsidies for film production and support for the transition to digital distribution channels.
The meeting featured prominent personalities from the Odia film industry, such as actors Arindam Roy, Sabyasachi Mishra, Archita Sahu, Pinky Pradhan, Anu Choudhury, and Harihar Mohapatra, alongside musician Debasish Mahapatra. Also present were Panchanan Nayak, former Doordarshan director Deepti Mishra, Director of the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya, Special Secretary Deba Prasad Dash, Deputy Director Devjani Bhuyan, and Secretary of Odisha Sahitya Akademi Dr. Chandrasekhar Hota.
The meeting concluded with a unified vision to ensure that Odia cinema thrives in both traditional and digital spaces, setting the stage for a more globally connected and innovative film ecosystem.
