The journey of Odia Movie Industry started with Mythological film Sita Bibaha (1936). Lalita (1949), Shri Jagannath (1950), Mahalakshmi Puja (1959), Krushna Sudama (1976), Bandhu Mohanty (1977) are the early movies that made foundation of Odia movies stronger. It is always fascinating for people to see those mythological characters live in full glory on silver screen which they listened in stories from their grandma, read in books, discussed in Bhagabat Tungi or witnessed as drama in Pala, Dash Kathia or Jatra. In those days it was a safe bet for film makers to indulge in Mythology. A well made Mythological flick with good music was able to draw huge crowd to cinema halls.
When Shri Jagannath (1950) was ready to be released the producers faced difficulty due to lack of cinema halls in Odisha. But the producers were determined to release it anyway so that people would be able to watch it. So came mobile cinema exhibition just like opera now a days. Those mobile cinemas able to reach every corner of Odisha. People flocked in bullock carts to watch the film. Later wherever those mobile cinemas exhibited, permanent cinema halls got established. Shri Jagannath was a huge hit even outside Odisha. The success of Shri Jagannath caught attention of both Bengali & Telugu film makers. Not all mythological films were huge hits. Some poorly made films got tanked. But non the less the mythological genre was a permanent genre till eighties.
In the year 1979 during Puja season four Mythological films, Shri Jagannath, Mathura Bijaya, Shri Krushna Rasa Leela & Neela Madhab got released were running simultaneously at different cinema halls across Odisha. Songs like "Kalia Asila, Kalia Asila, Kalia Asila Bhai", "Seta Bhakata Bhabare Bandha" [both from Shri Jagannath (1979)], "Chhada Chhada Mora Anchala Jamuna Jibi Mu Nagar", "Kie Aasere Dhara Nachere Nachi Nachi Jae", "Kete Bajao Bainsi Kala Shrimukha" [all from Mathura Bijay (1979)], were melodious, well written and not to say super hits. Actor like Chakrapani is the most recognized face of Odia Mythological films. During eighties some good films were made on Mythological genre. Notable films are Ramayan (1980), Sita Lavkusha (1981), Bhakta Salabega (1983), Basant Rasa (1984), Jai Maa Mangala (1980), Maha Sati Savitri (1983), Jayadev (1987) etc. A list actors like Uttam Mohanty acted in Ramayan & Bhakta Salabega. Stalwarts like Akshaya Mohanty & Balakrushna Dash composed music for many Mythological films.
But from nineties till date as if there is a drought in Mythological genre. Jai Jagannath (2007), the story of the Manabasha Bahi Gita, is the only exception which was made in a grand scale with A list Odia actors like Sritam Das & Jyoti Mishra and dubbed in 15 languages with aim to reach maximum audience. Jai Jagannath was more focused on popularizing Jagannath culture among non Odia speaking people rather than reviving Mythological genre. Whatever the purpose was but we must say that was really a bold attempt and a noble one. Films like Trinath Mela (1980), Maa Gojabayani (1998) & Shola Shukravar (1999) are not exactly in Mythological genre rather falls in Folklore category.
From mid eighties the focus of the Odia film makers shifted to family, action, revenge dramas with influence from Hindi films. Later from late nineties till date the focus is on love stories, revenge, action dramas with heavy influence from Telugu flicks. The holy Mythological genre has been lost in transition. Maybe the film makers think Mythological genre is only for senior people and their focus is on younger generation. But a well made Mythological film will definitely draw crowd from the whole family.
In our opinion, if a story is well presented, the audience will definitely like it. Whether it is a Mythological or not doesn’t matter. The rule applies to all. We are copying other language films especially Telugu masala films frame-to-frame. But even in Telugu film industry, A-list actors like Nagarjuna, Balakrishna do mythological films with good production value and those movies are commercially successful too. Same with Tamil film industry. Then why not in Odia. The films should be made according to today’s technical standards with reasonable budget and of course with A-list actors in Odia film industry. We have story to be retold. We need a good director and a producer who have guts to spend. But on the other hand, we can’t blame producers, directors or leading actors for not coming with Mythological genre alone. Other factors also matter. Lack of basic infrastructures posing a hurdle. Video piracy also eating into profit. A Mythological film requires big budget to be spend on costumes and special effects. It should be economically viable to the producer. May be that's why now a days film makers choosing safe path to remake South hits.
Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce was established in the year 2014, in Hyderabad, Telangana State, to cater the needs of the tollywood Art and Craft. Represent by its President Mr. Pratani Rama Krishana Goud, who has vast exprience in the film industries as an Actor, Producer, Director, Exhibitor.Telangana Film Chamber
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