A still from the movie Raasta. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 1: Bollywood movies being screened abroad has always been a regular trend. Breaking the status quo, a regional film was recently premiered in Australia, which, in a way, has diverted the accepted trend.

Directed by Nishikant Dalabehera, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Australians were exuberant to watch the Odia film Raasta at the Coombs Theatre in Australia recently.

Organised by the local Odia community, with ample support from the Australian territorial government, the initiative was an attempt to promote regional films among the growing overseas audience.

“Most of the time, regional documentaries or art films are screened abroad. Odia and non-Odia people residing in various countries across the globe rarely get opportunities to watch the local commercial films. And that is why we thought of premiering this film at a foreign destination,” said Dalabehera.

As many as 150 Indians, along with a few representatives from the Australian government attended the premier.

The film is about fluctuating priorities in our day-to-day lives. It portrays the mindset of the contemporary people and their sole focus on earning money and fame.

It vividly showcases the fact that with sudden changes in lifestyles, it becomes difficult to satisfy one’s inner voice.

Scripted by Pravanjan Mishra, the film also focuses on the legal system of the country.

“In the daily grind of life, we hardly realise that though we toil hard for materialistic needs, it is not enough to convince our souls. It remains unattended, and we hardly do any quality work to help others. We are only busy with ourselves,” said Mishra.

Shot at Bhanjanagar in Ganjam and Damanjodi in Koraput, the film tries to highlight the local flavours of these places.

Produced under the banner Combined Efforts, the film has a number of stars from the Odia film industry. Shankar Basu Malllick, Chowdhury Bikas Das, Debu Bose, Nupur Ghose and Elli Padhi have all featured in this movie.

The film is slated to release in the state on December 12.