OFTDA Hosts Press Meet, Highlights Industry Development Efforts

By Odia Celebrity On Jun 15, 2025

Bhubaneswar: A press conference was held by the Odia Film and Television Directors Association (OFTDA) Sunday .

In this press meet, President Himanshu Khatua, Chairman Sabyasachi Mohapatra, Secretary Tapas Sargharia, and other members including Shakti Baral, Bobby Islam, Ashok Pati, Shailendra Parida, Silu Mohanty, Shib Mohanty, Avatar Singh, Chandan Mohapatra, and Pradeep Dash were present.

The conference discussed various issues concerning professionals working in all departments of the Odia film industry.

For 87 years, the Odia film industry had no organization representing directors. Fortunately, for the past three years, the Odia Film and TV Directors Association has been formed for the overall development of the Odia film and television industry. In yesterday’s press meet, the association shared the progress it has made and the initiatives it plans to undertake in the future.

After the formation of the association, good relationships have been established among all directors, as well as with producers’ groups, technicians’ and workers’ groups, cameramen’s associations, writers’ associations, and all TV channels. As a result, many issues related to directors’ payments and other problems with TV channels and film producers have been resolved smoothly.

The association ensures that the producers’ work begins properly and maintains quality. It is committed to making both producers and its members aware of the standards and benefits.

The association is not only focused on creating high-quality films and serials but is also committed to the social and economic welfare of workers in the third and fourth tiers of the film and TV industry, often working closely with them.

The association recognizes its responsibilities not only towards cinema and television but also towards society. It has actively engaged in social initiatives such as distributing water, umbrellas, and caps during the summer, distributing ‘pana’ (a traditional drink), planting trees, organizing blood donation camps, and offering services during the sacred Rath Yatra.

The association has always stood by directors during difficult times, especially in cases of untimely death. Regardless of whether the deceased was a member, the association has extended emotional and financial support to their families. Notable examples include the families of Ashok Sharma and Tripti Bishwal.

Many directors become unable to work effectively after a certain period, pushing their dependent families into hardship. Sadly, even after 87 years of Odia cinema, this issue had not been addressed. For the first time, during its annual celebration, the association provided two veteran directors—Shri Ramesh Chandra Mohanty and Shri Jyoti Prakash Nayak—with a lifelong monthly pension of ₹5,000 and a one-time grant of ₹50,000. This assistance was provided by Dr. Achyuta Samanta and the KISS Foundation. The association is committed to continuing such financial assistance every year for senior and needy directors.

The association is in constant dialogue with the state government to ensure the holistic development of the cinema and serial industry and all those associated with it. The government has shown active interest and commitment in this regard.

At the Sunday’s press meet, the association extended heartfelt thanks to all its members and expressed deep gratitude to all other organizations within the Odia film and serial industry. These organizations have always stood by and supported one another in both good and bad times like a family. OFTDA also sincerely thanked the Odisha Government for its continued support.