Regional cinema takes center stage at this growing festival
Bhubaneswar Film Festival kicked off its third edition on Thursday, drawing enthusiasts with diverse screenings and an exclusive educational masterclass. Organisers opened the multi-day event by spotlighting regional narratives alongside a special retrospective of legendary filmmaker Bimal Roy. Odisha holds a rich heritage of visual storytelling, dating back to 1936 with the release of the first Odia movie, Sita Bibaha, which laid down strong roots for local cinema. Building upon this historical foundation, the current festival aims to foster deep conversations around aesthetics and modern culture.
Opening day audiences watched classic Odia titles like Laxmi, Lahari, Magunira Sagada, and White Snow. Viewers also enjoyed Bimal Roy's iconic movie Do Bigha Zamin. Minister of State for Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj, officially inaugurated the event in the evening. He promised that the State Government will actively support the revival of Odia cinema. He assured local creators of institutional backing to help the gathering grow into a major national platform.
Bollywood Veterans Embrace Regional Stories
Several respected industry figures joined the celebrations. Actor Neeraj Kabi surprised the crowd by speaking fluent Odia, noting his father’s roots in the state. Director Amit Rai, attending for his third consecutive year, recalled how watching Do Bigha Zamin as a child pushed him toward directing. He praised the event for evolving from a small local gathering into a vibrant multilingual platform.
Director Tigmanshu Dhulia shared nostalgic memories of visiting Puri as a child. He advised young creators to draw inspiration from masters like Shyam Benegal while finding their unique voice. Veteran cinematographer Anil Mehta echoed this sentiment. Mehta argued that regional movies form the true backbone of Indian cinema. He appealed for stronger government backing for young talent, noting how earlier generations benefited from organizations like the National Film Development Corporation.
Mastering Visual Arts and Academic Focus
Education forms a core part of this year's schedule. Anil Mehta hosted a highly anticipated cinematography masterclass. He broke down his creative process behind visually striking Hindi films, sharing practical advice with eager students. Festival Director Sanjoy Patnaik emphasised that the event focuses heavily on knowledge sharing. Organisers released a new scholarly publication, Cinema- Kal Aaj Aur Kal, featuring essays from academics and practitioners across India.
Honouring Local Industry Icons
Recognising backstage heroes remains a key tradition here. Seven veterans received lifetime achievement awards for their long dedication to the arts. The honourees included actress Saraswati Devi, lyricist Shirshananda Das Kanungo, comic actor Braja Singh, and lightman Pitambar Sahu.
In a deeply moving moment, dignitaries stepped off the main stage to felicitate veteran director Shishir Mishra. Since he uses a wheelchair and could not climb the stairs, guests brought the award down to him in the audience area. The crowd responded with warm applause, showing immense respect for his lifelong dedication to storytelling. Organisers also sent well wishes to cinematographer Dilip Rai, who missed the ceremony due to hospitalisation. Through these heartfelt gestures and robust screenings, the event successfully champions both emerging voices and established masters.
