Veteran Director Anant Mahapatra Returns with Bhabantar, Set for Statewide Release on May 30

Bhubaneswar: Eminent film and theatre director Anant Mahapatra, celebrated for his profound impact on Indian cinema and theatre, is set to captivate audiences once again with his latest feature film, Bhabantar. Following acclaim at several international film festivals, the much-anticipated film will see its theatrical release across the state on May 30.

Bhabantar is a poignant exploration of love, duty, and emotional transformation, unfolding through the entwined lives of three central characters—Sritam, Shravani, and Milan. Bound by tradition, Sritam and Shravani enter into an arranged marriage, though Shravani harbors deep feelings for her former lover, Milan. On their wedding night, she confesses this truth to Sritam and refuses intimacy. In a gesture of quiet strength, Sritam agrees to uphold the role of a husband only until Milan can be found. What follows is a nuanced journey of evolving relationships—will Shravani return to Milan, or will a new understanding emerge between her and Sritam?

Helmed by Mahapatra—recipient of the **Mohan Sunder Devgoswami Lifetime Achievement Award** and the **Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Amrit Award**—the film showcases his enduring ability to probe the complexities of human emotion with subtlety and depth. Known for cinematic classics like *Batighara* (1968), *Mamu* (1982), and the Hindi film *Shodh*, Mahapatra continues to push creative boundaries with *Bhabantar*.

The film stars **Suryamayee Mohapatra**, **Abhishek Giri**, and **Saroj Nanda** in lead roles. Suryamayee Mohapatra, lauded for her compelling performances, was most recently seen in *Rangashoor*, a film that celebrates the traditional *Bagha Nacha* dance form. She is joined by Abhishek Giri, recognized for his work in *Ashram* and the popular web series *Naali Cha*.

As anticipation builds for *Bhabantar*, fans of Indian parallel cinema can also look forward to Mahapatra’s upcoming project, Smurti, currently in post-production and slated for release soon.