Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar: The Dussehra season is set to offer a major entertainment treat for Odia film lovers, with five films — AWM: Agney Weds Minal, Danger Devdas, Monster – The Ultimate, Madhumallati and Game Over — preparing to compete for audience attention in October 2026. With different genres, distinctive storylines and a mix of established performers and younger talent, the line-up highlights the variety of stories emerging from Ollywood.

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Dussehra traditionally offers filmmakers an opportunity to draw families and film enthusiasts to theatres during the holidays. This year’s selection spans social drama, action, romance, musical storytelling and crime thrillers, catering to a range of audience preferences.

The films bring familiar Odia stars to the screen alongside fresh combinations of performers and creative teams. While AWM: Agney Weds Minal explores love beyond physical limitations, Danger Devdas celebrates Odia identity. Monster – The Ultimate promises a battle against oppression, Madhumallati revisits love after 35 years, and Game Over follows an athlete's descent into the criminal world after he is framed.

Here is a closer look at the five films, their production details, castand storylines.

AWM: Agney Weds Minal

A love story beyond social barriers

Genre: Social drama

Release date: October 16

Runtime: 2 hours

Director: Rishav Agrawal

Lead cast: Manoj Mishra, Arlin Ankita, Usasi Mishra, Shakti Baral

Among the five releases, AWM: Agney Weds Minal stands out for its emotionally driven narrative about love, companionship and acceptance. Inspired by real-life relationships, the film centres on Agneya, a physically challenged man whose courage and ambitions extend beyond his physical limitations.

Minal recognises his abilities and becomes his companion and source of strength. Their relationship challenges conventional perceptions of disability, raising an important question: are physical limitations the real barrier, or is it society's unwillingness to look beyond them?

Directed by Rishav Agrawal, who also wrote the screenplay, the film features Manoj Mishra, ArlinAnkita, Usasi Mishra and Shakti Baral. The story seeks to emphasise dignity, mutual respect and the right to pursue happiness.

With its focus on human relationships rather than spectacle, the film could appeal to families and audiences seeking meaningful storytelling. Its success will depend on the performances and how convincingly it translates its sensitive theme to the screen.

Danger Devdas

Action meets Odia pride

Genre: Action, drama

Release date: October 16

Director: Aswin Tripathy

Producer: Subhra Pattanaik

Lead cast: Amlan Das, Elina Samantray, Jyoti Ranjan Nayak, Aanisha Sharma, PapuPomPom

For viewers seeking action and cultural pride, Danger Devdas tells a story rooted in the struggle to protect Odisha's identity. The narrative follows a village oppressed by powerful outsiders who have deprived its residents of their identity and dignity.

Hope returns when a son of the soil arrives and inspires the villagers to reclaim their cultural pride. The conflict presents the protagonist's fight as a collective struggle rather than merely a personal battle.

The theme of ‘Odia Asmita’ could resonate with audiences seeking regional stories that reflect their cultural experiences. The village setting also provides scope for confrontations, emotional drama and resistance against powerful adversaries.

The key challenge will be balancing action with a compelling story. If the characters and their struggle are developed effectively, Danger Devdas could appeal to viewers who enjoy culturally rooted action dramas.

Monster – The Ultimate

A warrior's fight against injustice

Genre: Action, drama

Release date: October 16

Director: Sudhanshu Mohan Sahoo

Producer: Debraj Bidhar

Lead cast: Aaditya Mohapatra, Dibyajyoti Tripathy, Swapna Priyadarsini, Krishna Kar, Mahasweta Ray

Monster – The Ultimate promises a high-energy story of revenge, justice and resistance. The film revolves around a man who has spent years controlling his anger before unleashing it against those responsible for his father's death and his village's suffering.

The story unfolds in Bhairavpur, where a merciless tyrant exercises control over the community. The protagonist's quest to avenge his father becomes intertwined with the larger struggle to free the villagers from oppression.

The filmmakers have also highlighted the use of a robotic-arm camera for stylised action sequences, suggesting an effort to give the film a distinctive visual treatment.

However, action alone may not determine its appeal. The protagonist's emotional transformation and the reasons behind his quest for justice will be crucial to sustaining audience interest. The film could attract viewers who enjoy intense confrontations, powerful antagonists and stories of communities standing up to oppression.

Madhumallati

Love and second chances

Genre: Romantic drama, musical

Release date: October 16, 2026

Runtime: 2 hours 20 minutes

Director: MrutyunjayaSahoo

Lead cast: Sanjay Mishra, Mahasweta Ray, Sanoj Kumar, Bhoomika Dash, Akash Hota, Prangya Mishra

Offering a contrast to the action-heavy films, Madhumallati explores whether love can return after decades of separation. The romantic musical drama follows Madhusudan and Malati, former lovers who reunite after 35 years apart.

Abandoned by their families in the later stages of their lives, the two rediscover their affection and decide to pursue the dreams they once left behind. Their journey explores loneliness, companionship, regret and the courage to begin again, even when society may regard such possibilities as a thing of the past.

With music composed by Baidyanath Dash and a screenplay by Priyabrata Panda, the film has the potential to combine nostalgia, humour and emotional moments.

Its central message is that meaningful relationships are not restricted by age. The film could appeal particularly to families and viewers who prefer character-driven romances to action and spectacle. Its emotional impact will depend on the chemistry between the lead performers and the sensitivity with which their reunion is portrayed.

Game Over

Betrayal, crime and revenge

Listed release date: October 20

Listed runtime: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Genre: Action, drama, romance

Director: Raja Dash

Producer: Ardhendu Sahu

Lead cast: Ardhendu Sahu, Supriya Nayak, Navpreet Arora, Kuna Tripathy, Mahasweta Ray

Game Over adds crime, betrayal and revenge to the festive line-up. The story follows Adidev Paikaray, an honest sprinter whose life collapses after a rival allegedly frames him for doping and the murder of the woman he loves.

Imprisoned and deprived of his sporting future, Adi encounters Daddu, an experienced crime lord who introduces him to the criminal world. After regaining his freedom, Adi sets out to take revenge on those he believes destroyed his life.

The sporting background adds depth to the narrative. For an athlete, reputation, discipline and fair competition are central to success. Losing all three through a false accusation threatens not only Adi's career but also his identity and future.

The central conflict is whether a victim of injustice can reclaim his life without becoming part of the criminal world that shaped his downfall. This moral dilemma could give the film an edge beyond its action sequences.

A festive test for Ollywood

The five films offer contrasting cinematic experiences, from the social message of AWM: Agney Weds Minal to the culturally rooted action of Danger Devdas, the revenge-driven narrative of Monster – The Ultimate, the nostalgic romance of Madhumallati and the crime drama of Game Over.

Their box-office performance will depend on storytelling, performances, music, promotion and audience word of mouth. The release of multiple films within a short period could intensify competition for screens and viewers. For Ollywood, however, the festive line-up provides an opportunity to showcase its storytelling range and draw audiences to regional cinema. Whether viewers choose romance, action, social drama or suspense, the final verdict will come from theatre audiences.

“This is a golden era for Odia cinema, with so many films lined up for release during Dussehra. The new generation of filmmakers is taking Ollywood forward with fresh ideas, original storylines and impressive execution, and audiences are embracing this change wholeheartedly. The future of Odia cinema is bright, with immense potential for growth, innovation and wider recognition," said Sabyasachi Mohapatra, veteran film director.