Bhubaneswar, July 5: A special screening of ‘Mehermunda’, a film dedicated to Odisha’s weaver community, was held at the State Convention Centre in the Lok Seva Bhawan on Saturday.
Organised under the aegis of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, the screening was attended by Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, department Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar; Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain; Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, Director of Handlooms & Textiles; Dr. Nivedita Prusti, Director of Handicrafts; Pratap Chandra Hota, Managing Director of Utkalika; Surya Narayan Pattnaik, Additional Director (Silk) and Jyoti Ranjan Panda, Managing Director of OFDC.
Senior officers and officials of the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department and members of the cast and crew of ‘Mehermunda’ also attended the special screening.
Appreciating the film, Minister Bal Samanta said that ‘Mehermunda’ is a vivid and authentic portrayal of Odisha’s traditional handloom heritage, art, and culture.
Produced by GR Records, ‘Mehermunda’ is an Odia feature film based on the lives, struggles, and achievements of Odisha’s weaving community. The film beautifully depicts how weavers preserved their traditional art and culture and strengthened their identity through online marketing despite the economic hardships that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Swain said that ‘Mehermunda’ has the potential to touch the hearts of every Odia and inspire society by reinforcing Odisha’s cultural values and identity.
Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar said that the film beautifully captures the emotions, creativity, and dedication of Odisha’s artisans.
She described ‘Mehermunda’ as more than just a film, calling it a meaningful tribute to the struggles, creativity, and rich cultural traditions of Odisha’s weaving community. She further said that the film is dedicated to the weaver brothers and sisters of the State and stands as a symbol of Odia pride and identity.
Film producer Rakesh Kumar Padhi said that ‘Mehermunda’ is a sincere effort to bring before society the history, struggles, and contributions of Odisha’s weaving community while promoting the State’s rich handloom heritage, art, and culture at both national and international levels.
On the sidelines of the screening, exhibition stalls by Utkalika, Boyanika, and Sambalpuri Bastralaya showcased Odisha’s handloom, textile, and handicraft products. The dignitaries visited the stalls and appreciated the State’s rich craftsmanship and artistic traditions.
The film features Jyoti Ranjan Nayak, Rakesh Kumar Padhi, Sushanta Das Mahapatra, and Arlin Ankita in prominent roles.
It is noteworthy that ‘Mehermunda’ has received three international awards in recognition of its social message and cinematic excellence. Screenings of the film have also been organised across various districts of Odisha to create awareness among the general public and students about the State’s handloom heritage.
Recognising its significant contribution towards the promotion and preservation of Odisha’s handloom legacy, the Government of Odisha declared ‘Mehermunda’ tax-free on 9 June 2026. Earlier, on the occasion of National Handloom Day on 8 August 2025, the film’s trailer was unveiled by the Hon'ble Chief Minister in the presence of nearly 1,500 weavers.
