Snehasis Das’ Naali Cha Selected for Screening at International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025
Bhubaneswar: Acclaimed Odia filmmaker Snehasis Das’ latest web series Naali Cha: The Taste of Life has been officially selected for screening at the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025.
Sharing the news on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, director Snehasis Das said “The aroma of Naali Cha has reached the International Film Festival of India, Goa, carrying its unique flavour. Sharing this wonderful news during Puja with all those who have showered Naali Cha with love and blessings. Happy Puja! May Maa Durga bless you all.”
The six-episode series, streaming on The Naked Eye YouTube channel, is set against the backdrop of rural Odisha. It captures the impact of smartphones and social media on village life, exploring how modern technology reshapes traditions, relationships, and community bonds.
The story follows the everyday lives of villagers navigating this quiet digital revolution. The cast includes Abhisek Giri, Anubha Sourya, Gargi Mohanty, Somesh Mohanty, Himanshu, Shruti Subhashree, Dharitri Khandual, Prasanna Manjari Das, Pranab Prasanna Rath, Bhokraj Nayak, among others.
Das, known for weaving social and environmental themes into his work, said that the inspiration behind Naali Cha was to create something reminiscent of Malgudi Days while reflecting the realities of Odisha’s countryside. “The core of the story is rooted in rural life—how change enters silently, disrupts the balance, and transforms the environment of the village,” he explained.
Founded in 1952, IFFI remains South Asia’s only FIAPF-accredited film festival in the Competitive Feature Films category. Renowned for curating culturally and aesthetically significant cinema from across the globe, it continues to serve as a platform for filmmakers and cinephiles to celebrate the art of storytelling.
With its selection at IFFI, Naali Cha not only marks a milestone for Snehasis Das but also takes Odia storytelling to an international stage.