Film Fraternity Raises Concerns Over Infrastructure and Commercial Use at Kalinga Studio
Bhubaneswar, May 12: Members of the film and television fraternity have expressed serious concerns regarding the current infrastructure and operational priorities at Odisha Film Development Corporation’s Kalinga Studio following a discussion with Managing Director Surendra Kumar Panda on Tuesday.
In a formal representation addressed to the Managing Director, industry professionals thanked the authorities for inviting them for a detailed discussion and inspection of the studio premises.
The delegation was reportedly taken on a tour of the available facilities inside the studio complex.
However, after reviewing the infrastructure, professionals associated with various aspects of filmmaking stated that most of the existing facilities are presently unsuitable for television and cinema production.
According to the representation, barring the two auditoriums, none of the currently available sets are considered conducive for professional film or television shooting. The delegation also pointed out that the interior shooting spaces are extremely limited and inadequate for large-scale productions.
The filmmakers further expressed concern over the reported decision to lease out the studio premises to an external agency for maintenance and recreational public access. They argued that allowing unrestricted public entry into the studio complex could significantly disrupt filming activities and compromise the professional environment required for production work.
The representation also highlighted issues related to the marriage mandap structure constructed within the studio premises. While acknowledging the addition, the members stated that the space offers limited utility for shooting purposes and could create operational conflicts because of noise disturbances and uncontrolled crowd movement during simultaneous public events and filming schedules.
Raising questions over the long-term vision for the studio, the fraternity urged the authorities to clearly define whether the priority of Kalinga Studio is to serve bona fide film and television productions or function primarily as a recreational public space.
The members reiterated their willingness to work proactively with the government once all proposed facilities are fully developed and operational. They also stressed that only after completion of the promised infrastructure should feasible and functional hiring charges be determined.
Concluding their appeal, the industry representatives demanded that all facilities developed within the studio complex be exclusively earmarked for film and television-related activities in order to strengthen Odisha’s production ecosystem and support the growth of regional cinema.