Bhubaneswar, Apr 28 (BNP): Odia cinema today completed 90 years of its glorious journey, marking a historic milestone in the cultural and artistic heritage of Odisha. The foundation of the industry was laid in 1936 with the release of the first Odia feature film, Sita Bibaha, a black-and-white classic directed by Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami.
The pioneering film opened the doors for regional storytelling and gave birth to an industry that has entertained generations through music, drama, folklore, and socially relevant cinema. Over the decades, Odia cinema has produced many memorable films and celebrated stars who shaped the identity of regional filmmaking in India.
However, despite completing nine decades, the industry has continued to face serious challenges, including a shortage of cinema halls, limited distribution networks, and lack of sustained institutional support. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further weakened the sector, disrupting production and severely affecting theatrical business.
A fresh wave of optimism emerged in 2022 with the release of Daman, which became a landmark success. The film reportedly earned around ₹5 crore, received widespread praise from critics and audiences, and was later dubbed in Hindi, bringing broader recognition to Odia cinema.
The momentum continued with acclaimed films such as Pratikshya, which also performed successfully. During Dussehra 2024, actor Anubhav Mohanty’s action thriller Karma created a new box-office record by earning approximately ₹6.5 crore.
The biggest breakthrough came in 2025 with the release of Bou, Buttu, Bhuta, which set a new benchmark for the industry by reportedly earning more than ₹20 crore and drawing national attention.
As Odia cinema enters its 91st year, industry stakeholders and film lovers see renewed hope for expansion, stronger infrastructure, and a brighter future for regional storytelling on the national stage.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also congratulated the Odia film fraternity and cinema lovers on the completion of 90 glorious years of Odia cinema, describing it as a proud milestone in Odisha’s cultural history.
