Odisha CM forms panel to boost Odia film Industry
A ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera was formed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to find out ways for the development of Odia film industry or Ollywood. According to news, few decisions were taken in this regard during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Sri. Patnaik held at the State Secretariat.
The committee will comprise Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Prafulla Samal and Industries Minister Ananta Das as members. Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Sanjeev Chopra will be Convenor of the committee.
( One of the High Budget Movie of Recent times ‘ Agastya’. The Film did good business at the box office.)
According to sources, the committee has been asked to submit the report to the government within one month suggesting the steps to be taken to revive the film industry as the industry is not in good shape for the last few years.
The government will frame a policy in order to give a boost to the bleeding regional cinema industry. The policy will be prepared as per the reports submitted.
(Official Poster of 2017 released film ‘Katha Nuhe ae Katha’)
Various other issues plaguing the Odia cinema were a part of the discussion, including the renovation of the iconic Kalinga Studio, located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, among others were discussed in the meeting.
MSME Minister Prafulla Samal, Industries Minister Ananta Das, Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan, Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) Chairman and actor Kuna Tripathy and other officials were present in the meeting.
(The Golden era of Odia Movies)
The film industry in Odisha is passing through one of its worst phases as several things are not looking good for the industry. From lack of funds to scarcity of cinemas and no good stories, the Odia film industry has been failing to attract its audience and make money over the past few years.
According to the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) estimates, only seven were hits from 37-odd films released in 2013. The industry had incurred a total loss to be around Rs 10 crore.
From 38 films in 2013, the number of movies released in the State dipped to 25 in 2014. Around 34 Odia films were released in 2017. Barring few, most of the big-budget films bombed at the box office over the last few years leaving many seasoned producers heartbroken.
