Bhubaneswar: Of late, global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas has unveiled the trailer of The Cycle of Love, a powerful documentary that tells the extraordinary real-life romance of Odisha-born artist Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia, who cycled nearly 6,000 miles from India to Sweden to reunite with the woman he loved.
The trailer, released on Wednesday, has generated immense excitement. Executive-produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Orlando von Einsiedel, the documentary recounts how Mahanandia, a young street artist in Delhi during the mid-1970s, fell in love with Swedish tourist Lotta von Schedvin. When Lotta returned to Sweden, Mahanandia — undeterred by distance or circumstances — sold his belongings, bought a bicycle, and embarked on an epic journey across continents to reunite with her.
But who exactly was this man who dared to challenge continents for love? A gifted painter who once sketched portraits on the streets of Delhi to survive, he would go on to etch his name into the pages of the world’s greatest love stories. Let us now take a heartfelt glimpse into Mahanandia’s extraordinary life journey — a tale of courage, passionate love, longing, and impossible dreams that proudly belongs to Odisha.
Mahanandia’s Unforgettable Odyssey
For Odisha, this documentary carries deep emotional resonance. Mahanandia hails from Kandhapadar village in present-day Angola district. Born into humble beginnings, he rose to become a talented artist before his legendary bicycle journey turned him into a global symbol of love and perseverance. His story has long been a source of pride for the state, often shared as one of Odisha’s most inspiring real-life tales.
Mahanandia pursued his artistic education at Government College of Art and Crafts Khallikote, honing his skills in traditional Odia art forms. This grounding in heritage would become a cornerstone of his distinctive style.
The most defining chapter of Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia’s life unfolded in 1977, when the young artist embarked on an extraordinary solo bicycle journey from New Delhi to Borås, Sweden — a 6,000-mile odyssey fuelled entirely by love for a Swedish woman named Charlotte von Schedvin. What began as a personal quest to reunite with the woman he loved soon transformed into a powerful symbol of courage, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit.
A gifted artist with a distinctive voice, Mahanandia’s works have captivated audiences worldwide. Among his most acclaimed pieces are Mango Tree of Life, bursting with vibrant blossoms that celebrate nature’s abundance; Pollution, a stark and haunting reflection on environmental degradation; and Barasingha – The Balance of Life, which captures the delicate harmony between humans and the natural world. Through his art, he weaves together beauty, conscience, and storytelling.
Beyond the canvas, Mahanandia remains a passionate advocate for Dalit rights. Having risen from the margins of a deeply stratified society, he uses his platform to challenge caste-based discrimination and champion the cause of equality and social justice.
When I first heard the story of the extraordinary journey of @PKMahanandia1 riding a cycle across continents for love, I was immediately stunned. It’s one of those rare, almost unbelievable true stories that stays with you long after you hear it. Directed by #orlandovoneinsiedel,… pic.twitter.com/pXAMjvTGAB
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) July 9, 2026
Priyanka On The Cycle of Love
Priyanka described the film as “one of those rare, almost unbelievable true stories” that celebrates hope, resilience, and the transformative power of love. The documentary blends intimate interviews with the real-life couple and dramatised sequences featuring actors Chirag Benedict Lobo and Mina Dale. It is set to premiere in New York on August 28, followed by a UK release in September.
The Cycle of Love is now poised to introduce this remarkable son of Odisha to audiences worldwide, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary courage and determination that emerged from a small Odia village.
