Bhubaneswar: Throwing its weight behind the Bhubaneswar Film Festival, the Odisha government has promised full support to help the event grow into a national-level cinematic celebration.
Inaugurating the 3rd edition of the Bhubaneswar Film Festival, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, “The government is ready to extend all possible support to make this a national-level festival.”
“Recently, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had discussions with members of the film fraternity and gained a clear understanding of the industry’s needs. I am confident that the film industry will receive the government’s wholehearted cooperation as well as sympathy,” he added.
The opening ceremony witnessed the presence of a galaxy of film personalities, including acclaimed directors Sanjay Pattanayak, Sabyasachi Mohapatra, Himanshu Dhulia and Amit Ray; noted actor Neeraj Kabi, eminent Bollywood cinematographer Anil Mehta, celebrated sound designer and one of the festival directors Subash Sahoo and actor Sukant Rath, the force behind the festival.
Adding a touch of nostalgia and recognition to the occasion, seven stalwarts of Odia cinema were honoured for their lifetime contribution to the industry. The awardees included veteran director Sisir Mishra, producer Sitakanta Mishra, actor Braja Singh, actress Saraswati Devi, lyricist Sirshananda Daskanungo, cinematographer Dilip ray and lighting expert Pitambar Sahoo.
The inaugural day witnessed the screening of five films. They included Odia films ‘Laxmi’, ‘Lahari’ and ‘Magunira Sagada’, Urdu film ‘White Snow’ and Hindi classic “Do Bigha Zameen’. The screenings struck a chord with cine lovers, drawing enthusiastic audiences throughout the day.
On the second day, film lovers can catch Kannada film ‘Kandeelu’ at 10.00 am, Hindi/English film “A Story That Refused To Die’ at 12.00 pm, Hindi film ‘Wo-Man’ at 4.30 pm and Hindi film ‘Bandini’ at 4.30 pm.
The third day features Dimasa film ‘Semkhor’ at 10.00 am, Marathi film ‘Sabar Bonda’ at 11.45 am, Gujarati film ‘Jagat’ at 2.30 pm, Odia film ‘Baida’ at 4.30 pm and Hindi film ‘Sujata’ at 7.15 pm. There will be a panel discussion on ‘Fabrics, Identity and Cinema’ at 6.00 pm.
The opening film of the concluding day will be an Assamese film ‘Juiphool’ at 10.00 am. The following films will be Odia film ‘Lal Odhani’ at 11.45 am, Odia film ‘Aa Akara Aa’ at 2.45 pm, Malayalam film ‘Ullozhukku’ at 4.30 pm and Odia film ‘Amada Bata’ at 7.15 pm.
