Bhubaneswar, Sept 6: The Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) is going to inaugurate an Odia film archives library soon in Cuttack.
"The arrangements are on the last leg to inaugurate an Odia film archives library at Chalachitra Bhawan in Buxi Bazar. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will dedicate the film archive to the public after the CMO confirms the date," said OFDC chairman Satyabrata (Kuna) Tripathy.
During the initial phase, around 25 old Odia films, including Rakta Golap, have been collected to be added to the archives. Meanwhile, OFDC is creating a digital record of directors, producers, hall owners, artists, and technicians. The digitized records will also have information on Odia artists or technicians working outside the state, added Tripathy.
Other old films will be added to the archives phasewise. Besides films, the archives library will preserve the leaflets or booklets, which were launched at the time of a film’s release. These leaflets contained the film’s narration and details about songs and music.
According to sources, reels of Odia films including classics will be procured soon.
The corporation is also modernizing a 30-seater preview theatre on its office premises. Earlier, the preview theatre was used for screening films during censor scrutiny. If a film enthusiast wants to watch an old Odia film, he or she can use the facility by paying a nominal charge.