Bhubaneswar: After the successful screening of Odia feature film ‘Maliput Melodies’ at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa, the film’s team held a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
Produced by Kaustav Das’s Dreamworks Studios (AO Next), the film was the only Odia film selected for the Indian Panorama section this year.
Expressing his expressed gratitude to the director Vishal Pattnayak and the entire team for bringing the essence of rural Odisha to a global stage, producer Kaushik Das said, “This is a humble effort to share the stories of Koraput’s communities with the world.” he said.
The event was also attended by producer Ram Pattnayak, director Vishal Pattnayak, and music director Tosh Nanda.
The film, set in Koraput, Odisha, features four heartwarming stories highlighting the lives, struggles, and dreams of simple village folk. The stories—Kanphul, Rangamati, Baidakaria, and Bibhaghara—explore themes ranging from childhood dreams and sibling conflicts to traditional music rituals and family celebrations, offering audiences an authentic glimpse into rural Odia life.
Director Vishal Pattnayak, a native of Jaypur in Koraput and an art teacher by profession, said, “Through this film, we have tried to portray the resilience, dreams, and spirit of our people with honesty and subtle humor.”
He noted that 75% of the cast are local villagers, while the remaining 25% are professional theatre artists, and the film was shot over two and a half years during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Producer Kaushik Das added that despite the limited budget, the unit worked as one family to bring the stories to life.
The team confirmed that the film is slated for a public release in March–April 2026.During the press conference, select clips from the film were screened, and officials from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) honored the director and producer for their contribution to promoting regional cinema.
‘Maliput Melodies’ has garnered attention for not only representing Odia culture at a national level but also for its authentic portrayal of the hopes, struggles, and resilience of rural communities, making it a significant milestone for Odia cinema.
