OFDC’s Golden Jubilee celebrations conclude, Mahasweta Ray felicitated for 50 years in Odia cinema
Bhubaneswar, October 25: The three-day Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) concluded at Kalinga Studio here on Sunday, celebrating the rich heritage of Odia cinema and honouring the contributions of veteran artistes.
The highlight of the concluding evening was the felicitation of veteran actress Mahasweta Ray for her five-decade-long journey and contribution to the Odia film industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Ray reflected on her acting career and said she would continue acting until her last breath. One of the most established actresses in Odia cinema, she has carved out a special place in the hearts of audiences through her performances.
Her 50-year journey is regarded as a significant chapter in the history of Odia cinema, and the honour recognised her contribution while seeking to inspire the next generation of artistes.
Digapahandi MLA and popular Odia actor Dr Siddhanta Mahapatra, veteran filmmaker Padma Shri Sisir Mishra, and OFDC Managing Director Surendra Kumar Panda attended the felicitation ceremony.
As part of the celebrations, the 2024 Odia film Lahari and the 1980 blockbuster Maa O Mamata, featuring Ray, were screened on Sunday afternoon, offering audiences an opportunity to revisit both contemporary and classic Odia cinema.
The concluding evening also featured music 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 celebrations on Saturday, the National Award-winning Odia films Pratikshya and Bideha were screened. Former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regional officer in Cuttack Gopal Krishna Mahapatra and President’s Award-winning film critic Surya Deo felicitated the artistes and technical teams associated with both films.
The evening also featured performances of classic Odia songs, taking the audience back to the golden era of Odia music. Singers Debashish Mahapatra, Gita Dash, Sohini Mishra, Subhasish Mahakud, Shashank Sekhar and Adyasha Das performed during the programme.
The three-day celebration was organised to revisit the rich legacy of Odia cinema, recognise the contributions of veteran artistes and introduce younger generations to the industry’s golden era through film screenings, felicitations and cultural programmes.