Bhubaneswar: As Odisha’s film industry continues to surge ahead with original stories synonymous with the state’s natural environment, rich cultural heritage and traditions, a new Odia film, ‘Simli’ is all set to hit theaters on March 14, shedding light on the pressing issue of Similipal’s forest conservation.
Directed by Sukumar Mani, a renowned editor in Ollywood, ‘Simli’ delves into the daily struggles of Similipal’s forest dwellers, highlighting the rampant smuggling of tusks and tiger skins, and attacks on forest guards.
The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Suryamayee Mahapatra, Manoj Rout, Anup Saha, Choudhury Bikash Das, Lipika Senapati, and Aishwarya Behera.
At a special screening held at PVR Cinemas in Bhubaneswar, the film received accolades from esteemed guests, including Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Bangiriposi MLA Sanjali Murmu, Rairangpur MLA Jalen Naik, Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Shekhar Sahoo and journalists.
The film’s producer, Smita Rout, expressed her optimism. stating, “Simli will resonate with audiences worldwide, shedding light on Similipal’s untold story,” said the production house.
While the film’s producer has written the story, Bhababinod Mahapatra has written the dialogues. The film’s music, composed by the late Bachu Mukherjee, Vishnu Mohan Kabi, and SB Smruti, features four soul-stirring tracks, penned by Dr Nirmal Nayak, Arun Mantri and Bhababinod Mahapatra, including vocals by renowned singers Subhash Das and Devanshi Dash.
With its thought-provoking narrative, ‘Simli’ is poised to make a lasting impact on audiences, sparking a conversation about the importance of forest conservation.
As the film gears up for its release, the production team is optimistic about its reception, with the Forest and Environment Minister promising government support for the film’s tax exemption, informed publicity head Pranay Jethy.
