Odia Cinema Celebrates 90 Glorious Years, Calls for Annual “Odia Cinema Day” Recognition

Bhubaneswar: The city based Press Club of Odisha came alive with pride and nostalgia as the 90th anniversary of the Odia Film Industry was celebrated Monday.

The event brought together many beloved figures from Ollywood, including actors Siddhant Mohapatra,Sritam Das, Hara Rathm, Partha Sarthi Ray, Sukant Rath, Anu Choudhury, Snigdha Mohanty, Usasi Mishra, director Sabyasachi Mohapatra, producer Kaushik Das, Film Critic Surya Deo, Media Planner Pranay Jethy, and others who have contributed to the rich legacy of Odia cinema.

A special video screened at the event took the audience on a journey through time — from the very first Odia film Sita Bibaha in 1936 by Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami to the modern success of Daman.

A commemorative poster titled ‘90th Odia Chalachitra’ was also unveiled to mark the milestone.

Speaking at the event, actor Siddhant Mohapatra reflected on the evolution of Odia cinema, calling it a “continuous journey” and reminding everyone of the importance of holding onto their roots. “Our language is our identity,” he said, encouraging everyone to preserve and cherish the Odia language.

Actress Anu Choudhury also shared her heartfelt thoughts, honouring the pioneers of the industry and expressing gratitude for the love and support from the audience. “We exist because of them,” she said.

Odia cinema today is not just about entertainment — it is a mirror of Odisha’s land, culture, music, literature, and traditions. As the industry looks forward to its 100th year, the fraternity called on everyone to celebrate “Odia Cinema Day” each year on April 28.

They urged the government to officially recognise the day and support the industry through festivals, discussions, photo exhibitions, and State Film Awards.
With unity and vision, the future of Odia cinema promises to be as bright as its remarkable past.