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Bhubaneswar, Oct 5: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday inaugurated the newly redeveloped state-of-the-art Kalinga Studio in Bhubaneswar, aimed at reviving the state’s rich cinematic heritage while creating modern infrastructure for filmmakers and the growing creative industry.
The Chief Minister said out of the Rs 165 crore which had been earmarked for this project, Rs 147 crore had already been utilised so far. He said the phase 2 of the redevelopment project will generate ample employment opportunities in Odisha.
He also said the plan for 1000 film halls across the state should also be there in the phase 2 agenda. “Every block should have a film hall and we should plan 1000 film halls in the state,” said CM Majhi.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated a dedicated archive and museum at the studio developed to preserve Odisha’s cinematic legacy, including old films, posters, photographs and historical documents.
Majhi said the redevelopment of Kalinga Studio would ensure that Odia filmmakers no longer need to travel to other states for technical requirements, as the facility now offers several world-class amenities.
"More advanced facilities would be introduced at the studio in the coming days to meet the changing requirements of the film industry. The revamped Kalinga Studio has been developed as a self-contained ecosystem keeping in mind the changing times and requirements of the digital era. It features indoor shooting floors, a snow house, chroma floor and tech zone, along with advanced facilities for sound recording, dubbing, editing and post-production," said the Chief Minister.
The studio also houses a dedicated archive and museum aimed at preserving Odisha’s cinematic heritage. The facility will preserve old films, posters, photographs and historical documents associated with the state’s film industry.
Recalling the history of Odia cinema, the Chief Minister said films such asSita Bibaha, Maa, Amadabata and Matira Manisha, produced during the 1950s and 1960s, established a close relationship between Odia literature and cinema.
He said the Kalinga Studio was established in 1980 to facilitate film production in Odisha, but its redevelopment became necessary over the years due to natural disasters and rapid technological advancements in the film industry.
Majhi also expressed confidence in the state’s young talent, saying the younger generation is making significant strides in areas such as acting, direction, cinematography, animation, sound design and storytelling for digital platforms.
“Kalinga Studio will become a major platform for young talents to realise their dreams,” he said, urging the youth to create films based on original stories, folklore, history and Odisha’s cultural heritage.
Gracing the event, Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the redeveloped Kalinga Studio has been transformed into a modern film studio complex equipped to meet requirements ranging from production to post-production.
Swain said the film industry should not be viewed merely as a source of entertainment, but as a large economic ecosystem capable of creating opportunities and supporting several allied sectors.
During the event, the Chief Minister also unveiled the new official portal of the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC). The redevelopment of Kalinga Studio is expected to provide Odisha’s filmmakers with modern production infrastructure within the state while creating a stronger ecosystem for emerging talent and the preservation of Odia cinema’s rich history.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Digapahandi MLA Siddhant Mahapatra, Korei MLA Akash Dasnayak, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department Hemant Sharma and Kalinga Studio Managing Director Surendra Kumar Panda, among others.
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