‘Dahaan – The Evil Within’ becomes first Odia film acquired by South OTT platform aha

Bhubaneswar: In a significant milestone for Odia cinema, Dahaan – The Evil Within has become the first Odia film to be acquired by South Indian OTT platform aha, opening up new avenues for Odia films in the digital entertainment market.

Unlike revenue-sharing or pay-per-view arrangements, the film has been directly acquired by the platform, marking a notable development for the Odia film industry. Dahaan – The Evil Within, which was released in theatres on September 11, 2026, will soon be available for streaming on aha.

Written and directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Anupam Patnaik, the supernatural horror film is set in the historic Killa Dalijoda near Cuttack. Its storyline revolves around a mysterious Dybbuk box and a terrifying family secret. The film has drawn attention for its atmospheric horror, gripping narrative, performances and technical execution.

The film features an ensemble cast comprising Barsha Patnaik, Aurosikha Mishra, Samrat Mahapatra, Partha Sarathi Ray, Nishant Majithia and Pranab Prasanna Rath, among others.

Produced by Anupam Patnaik and Barsha Patnaik under the banner of Amiya Patnaik Production, the film has Deepak Kumar as cinematographer, Ashish Pradhan as music composer and background score director, and Rashmi Ranjan Dash as editor. Shakti Swaroop Dwibedy has handled sound design, while Pranab Prasanna Rath has penned the dialogues.

Barsha Patnaik has also taken charge of production and costume design, with Gopal Chandra Ghadei and Dibyajyoti Mohanty serving as executive producer and line producer, respectively.

The acquisition marks another milestone in Anupam Patnaik’s filmmaking journey. His body of work includes Tulasi Apa, the National Award-winning Pratikshya, Trikanya, the blockbuster Karma and the horror-comedy Mantra Muugdha. Known for exploring different genres, Patnaik has sought to balance distinctive storytelling with commercial appeal.

The latest development also carries personal significance for the filmmaker. His earlier experience with Tulasi Apa, which was removed from Amazon Prime Video, had highlighted the challenges Odia films can face in sustaining their presence on major streaming platforms. The acquisition of Dahaan by aha marks another opportunity to take his work to a wider digital audience.

The deal could also create fresh opportunities for Odia filmmakers seeking greater visibility beyond the state’s traditional theatrical market. A wider digital release can help regional-language cinema reach audiences across geographical boundaries and bring Odia stories to viewers unfamiliar with the industry.

With Dahaan – The Evil Within set to stream on aha soon, the acquisition marks a new chapter in the film’s journey and a potentially important step for Odia cinema’s presence on national digital platforms.