Bhubaneswar: The three-day Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) concluded at Kalinga Studio here on Sunday with a tribute to veteran actress Mahasweta Ray for her five-decade-long contribution to Odia cinema.
Ray was felicitated during the concluding evening in recognition of her remarkable acting career and contribution to the Odia film industry. Sharing experiences from her journey in cinema, the veteran actress said she would continue acting until her last breath.
One of the most celebrated actresses in Odia cinema, Ray has earned widespread appreciation for her performances over the past five decades. Her contribution to the industry has made her a prominent figure in the history of Odia films, while the honour is expected to inspire younger generations of artists.
The ceremony was attended by Sidhant Mohapatra, MLA from Digapahandi and an actor in the Odia film industry; veteran filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee Sisir Mishra; and Surendra Kumar Panda, Managing Director of OFDC.
Earlier in the afternoon, the 2024 film Lahari and the 1980 blockbuster Maa O Mamata, featuring Mahasweta Ray, were screened as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The concluding evening also featured musical and dance performances by Suryamayee Mahapatra, Nikita Mishra, Poonam Mishra, Bhoomika Dash, Subhasis Sharma, Akash Hota, Sanoj Kumar and Shubham Nayak, among others.
On the second day of the festival, the National Award-winning Odia films Pratikshya and Bideha were screened. Gopal Krishna Mohapatra, former Regional Officer of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Cuttack, and Surya Deo, a President’s Award-winning film critic, felicitated the artists and technical teams associated with the two films.
The programme also featured performances of classic Odia songs by Debashish Mahapatra, Geeta Dash, Sohini Mishra, Subhasish Mahakud, Shashank Shekhar and Adyasha Das, among others, taking the audience on a nostalgic journey through the golden era of Odia music.
The three-day festival was organised to celebrate the rich heritage of Odia cinema, recognise the contributions of veteran artists and introduce younger generations to the landmark films and personalities that shaped the industry.
