Director Nila Madhab Panda with actor Parvin Dabbas on the sets of Jal Pari: The Desert Mermaid. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 9: Director Nila Madhab Panda is on a high after special screenings of his film Jal Pari: The Desert Mermaid were held at the Cannes Film Festival market section.

The director, who hails from Odisha, feels that his film, which is set to release on August 31 across India, will be appreciated by the audience as much as his debut film I am Kalam.

“In I Am Kalam, the tale of a young boy who wants to pursue his dreams of education focussed on adult viewers, though it also catered to children. Jal Pari: The Desert Mermaid features a talented little girl who wants to escape from the trap of a society that still strongly believes in crimes such as female foeticide. This movie will touch many hearts, I’m sure,” said Panda, who is at present in Mumbai to discuss the release with theatre owners.

Panda is banking on the performances of actors such as Suhasini Mulay, Parvin Dabbas and 11-year-old child actress Leher to make his upcoming project a success.

“Leher is a bundle of talent and I’m glad she plays the protagonist of our film. I was lucky to have someone as experienced as Suhasini on the sets. Parvin as well as all the other artistes have given their best,” said Panda.

The filmmaker also said the response in Cannes had increased his confidence level and he was sure that people here too would like the movie.

“I have always believed in reaching out to a wider audience and it is overwhelming to see film enthusiasts from all over the world such as Korea, China, Japan, South Africa watching my film and appreciating it. It used to be so difficult to get takers for a Bollywood film. But now the situation has improved. I am looking forward to releasing Jalpari in Korea too since I received the maximum appreciation from the Koreans in Cannes,” said the director.

Panda’s film release coincides with the Akshay Kumar starrer Joker. So isn’t he worried?

“Mine is a family film and I’m confident that people would want to watch something sensible at a theatre. There is a huge section of the audience that is desperate to watch quality films,” he said.

Panda will be in Bhubaneswar from August 10 to 20 for a film workshop, at which he will interact with the audience here. From September, he will begin a new project.

“I will be working on a black comedy with a very unusual and interesting plot. But right now I am looking forward to the release of Jal Pari,” he said.