National Award-Winning Cinematographer Manoj Kumar Khatoi Joins Ardhendu’s Next Odia Film as DOP

Bhubaneswar: Acclaimed cinematographer Manoj Kumar Khatoi, one of Odisha’s most celebrated names in Indian cinema, has been roped in as the Director of Photography (DOP) for actor Ardhendu’s upcoming Odia film. The announcement has created excitement in the industry, with the collaboration expected to bring a fresh visual scale to the much-awaited project.

An Odisha native from Konark, Khatoi has carved a distinguished career across Hindi, Marathi and Malayalam cinema. He won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Budhia Singh: Born to Run, becoming one of the finest cinematographers from the state to earn national recognition.

Over the years, he has worked on several acclaimed films and web series, including Notebook, Jawaani Jaaneman, Uunchai, Khel Khel Mein, The Fame Game and Mismatched. His work is widely appreciated for its striking visuals and ability to enhance storytelling through cinematic imagery.

The collaboration comes at a time when Ardhendu is riding high on the success of his recently released film Diary. The emotional drama received a warm response from audiences and critics alike, with its engaging narrative, performances and music helping it perform well at the box office. The film further strengthened Ardhendu’s reputation as one of the emerging stars of the Odia film industry.
With Manoj Kumar Khatoi now handling the camera, expectations from Ardhendu’s next venture have risen considerably. Industry insiders believe the combination of Ardhendu’s growing popularity and Khatoi’s award-winning visual craftsmanship could deliver a technically superior and visually compelling cinematic experience.

The makers Adilaxmi Entertainment are expected to announce more details about the film, including its title, cast and release schedule, in the coming weeks. For now, the pairing of Ardhendu and Manoj Kumar Khatoi has emerged as one of the biggest talking points in Ollywood.