Rangashoor Selected for Prestigious New York Indian Film Festival

Bhubaneswar: The Odia-language film Rangashoor, a vibrant portrayal of Odisha’s traditional folk dance Bagha Nacha, has been officially selected for screening at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) to be held from June 20 to 22 in New York City.

The film, jointly produced by Prakash Films and Moon TV Movies, was released across Odisha on January 12, 2025.

Announcing the selection, Prakash Films expressed their excitement in a statement:
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our film Rangashoor has been officially selected for screening at the prestigious New York Indian Film Festival! This is a significant milestone for our entire team, and we are incredibly honored to have our work recognized on such a prominent international platform.”

Directed by Pratap Rout, Rangashoor centers around a young girl’s aspiration to perform Bagha Nacha, a centuries-old folk dance traditionally performed only by men. The story follows her journey and the resistance she faces from society, while also portraying the father-daughter duo’s efforts to revive the dying art form.

Speaking about the film’s selection, director Pratap Rout said That’s great news about my film Rangashoor at the New York Film Festival! Featuring the vibrant Bagha Nacha, the film offers a glimpse into Odisha’s rich cultural diversity. This energetic tiger dance, with its striking visuals and rhythmic music, narrates the tale of Odisha’s majestic folk traditions. Rangashoor’s selection is a proud moment for Odisha, promising to showcase its unique heritage to a global audience.”

The film not only revives interest in Bagha Nacha, where performers paint their bodies with tiger-like stripes and don tails to mimic the wild animal, but also highlights broader themes of women empowerment and jungle conservation.

Rangashoor stars Suryamayee Mohapatra, Chaudhury Jayprakash Das, Chaudhury Bikash Das, Samaresh Routray, Subhasish Sharma, Jyoti Ranjan, and Dipanwit Das Mohapatra in pivotal roles. It is produced by Sachikant Jena, Prashant Beura, Sunil Yadav, and Pratap Rout, with Pranay Jethy serving as the film’s media planner.

With its NYIFF selection, Rangashoor is set to bring Odisha’s cultural legacy and social narratives to an international audience, marking a proud moment for Indian regional cinema.