(Top) A scene from the recent release Most Wanted and another still from film Anjali. Telegraph picrures

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 2: Family dramas and social issues were predominant in Oriya films for a long time. However, in the last few years there has been a shift in the themes of commercial Oriya cinema.

While different subjects are being explored, film-makers today bank mostly on love stories and subjects revolving around youngsters to attract the audience to the theatres.

Although religious and mythological themes were popular in the 40s and 50s, the changing social scenario of the state led to films being made on the lives of rural areas due to the influence of urbanisation.

Many films such as Hakim Babu and Puja Phula were either focused on how modernisation deteriorated family values or the problems of rural life, be it the tyranny of an evil zamindar or issues that crop up with development projects.

But family dramas had a permanent place almost all the while before the last five years. “Films like Amada Bata, Paradesi Chadhei and Ki Haba Sua Posile were popular among viewers,” said young director Sanjay Nayak.

“I believe they did well earlier because the lifestyle of the state was still rooted to families and the viewers included family crowd. But the theme changed to action in the last decade and now the phase of love stories is on, since the audience now includes mostly college goers,” he adds.

Veteran actor Mihir Das, who began his career more than 30 years ago and continues to work actively in films even today, feels it is the choice of viewers as well as the preference of film-makers.

“I believe if a film is made well, any theme can fit in. A family story made today is as relevant as yesterday, or may be even more important since family values have changed today,” says Das.

“The focus of films today is to pull youngsters, which is important for a film-maker since they are the ones who will continue coming back to the theatre even 10 years down the line,” he added.

The trend of love stories and films based on youngsters of today’s generation has caught up strongly after the success of the 2004 release I Love You.

While action is still sought after by film-makers, which is portrayed in films that revolve around the theme of underworld and gangsters, it is mostly romantic comedies that attracts the audience today, feel many directors.

“My recent film Anjali was based on the present day youth of the cities who love bike-riding, hanging out at coffee shops and having fun in colleges. The youth can relate to activities that portray their lifestyle. Only then can we pull them towards Oriya films,” said director Biswa Bhushan Mohapatra.

Even director Susant Mani of Most Wanted fame said the script and storyline had to be experimented with to get the attention of youngsters.

Dhauli Express, Pagala Premi, Romeo — The lover boy, Don, Pagala Karichi Paunji Tora, Prema Adhei Akshara, Deewana, Aama Bhitare Kichi Achhi, Love Dot Com, Sanju Aau Sanjana, Loafer are some of the films made in the past two years that revolved around action or romance.