Five Odia Films Set for Box-Office Clash This Dussehra

Bhubaneswar: Five Odia films — AWM: Agney Weds Minal, Madhumallati, Monster, Game Over and Danger Devdas — are lined up for a theatrical release during the Dussehra season, bringing a mix of romance, family drama and action to cinemas.

The films feature a diverse cast, including Manoj Mishra, Bollywood actor Sanjay Mishra, Aaditya Mohapatra, Ardhendu Das and Amlan Das, with filmmakers exploring different genres and storylines.

AWM: Agney Weds Minal, a Sambalpuri film directed by Rishav Agrawal, centres on love, relationships and the challenges faced by a couple after marriage. Manoj Mishra plays Agney, a differently-abled man, while Arlin Ankita portrays Minal. Inspired by real-life stories and couples, the film explores courage, dreams and the choices that shape human lives.

The cast also includes Usasi Mishra, Shakti Baral, Sanjay Mohapatra and Swagat Mahapatra. The film is produced by Manoj Mishra, Mamta Nanda, Jagan Mahanta, Foram Rishav Agrawal and Prashant Behera, and is presented by Manoj Mishra Films in association with Maa Sindura Gauri Productions, Shalom Films, Bhabya Films and Prakash Films.

Madhumallati – marks the Odia film debut of Bollywood actor Sanjay Mishra. Directed by Mrutyunjaya Sahoo, the romantic drama is set against the backdrop of the 1980s and follows two lovers whose relationship endures across decades. The story moves from the innocence of young romance to an emotional reunion when the protagonists meet again in their 60s.

Maheswata Ray, Sanojj Kumar, Bhoomika Dash, Aakash Hota and Prangya Mishra also feature in the film. Ashok Kumar Padhy and Braja Kishore Mishra have produced it under the Auroshree Films banner, with Priyabrata Panda handling the story, screenplay and dialogues.

Monster – The Ultimate brings an action-oriented storyline to the festive lineup. Directed by Sudhanshu Mohan Sahoo, the film stars Aaditya Mohapatra and Dibyajyoti Tripathy, alongside Mahasweta Ray, Krishna Kar and Swapna Priyadarshini. Aaditya has written the story and screenplay, while Amit Kumar Dash and Pranab Prasanna have penned the dialogues. Produced by Debraj Bidhar under Gopinath Motion Pictures, with Anima Mohapatra as co-producer, the film features stylised action sequences and a larger-than-life narrative.

It also marks a shift in Aaditya’s screen persona following his acting debut in the romantic drama I Love You 2.

Game Over, directed by Raja D, features Ardhendu Das and Supriya in the lead roles. Produced by Adikanda Sahu under the Adilakshmi Entertainment banner, the film is written by Kuna Tripathy, who has handled the story, screenplay and dialogues. The cast includes Mahasweta Ray, Kuna Tripathy, Sushant Das Mahapatra, Jiban Panda, Tribhuban Panda, Prithviraj Nayak and Udit Guru. Urvashi Chauhan, a dance choreographer associated with Allu Arjun’s Pushpa, is also part of the project. Manoj Kumar Khatua has handled cinematography, while Biswajit Paital is the editor.

Danger Devdas, an action entertainer directed by Aswin Tripathy, stars Amlan Das in the titular role. The film follows the mass-action format, with its promotional material introducing a rivalry between Amlan’s Danger Devdas and Jyoti Ranjan Nayak’s Ghosh Dada. Elina Samantray, Papu Pom Pom, Aanisha Sharma, Bhupindra and Bobby Mishra are among the other cast members. Produced by Subhra Pattnaik, the film is presented by Sai Lumbini Productions in association with Babu Bhai Production. It marks the first collaboration between Aswin Tripathy and Amlan Das.

With the five films spanning relationship drama, nostalgic romance and action, the Dussehra release window will bring a varied selection of Odia cinema to audiences.