Artistes perform at the 11th annual function of the Odisha Cine Artistes’ Association in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 3: The Odia film industry celebrated its family get-together with a galaxy of celebrities.

From the new kids on the block to veteran matinee stars, the fraternity members gathered last evening at Utkal Mandap and exuded the warmth shared among them. The occasion was the 11th annual function of the Odisha Cine Artistes’ Association.

From the heartthrobs of yesteryears such as Bijoy Mohanty, Uttam Mohanty, Debu Bose, Aparajita Mohanty and Snigdha Mohanty to new entrants such as Amlan Das, Sambhabana Mohanty, Deepak, Sambit Acharya, Prakruti Mishra and Poonam attended the function. Also present were popular faces such as Arindam, Buddhaditya, Samaresh, Debashish Patra, Pappu Pom Pom, Akash Dasnayak, Anu Choudhary and Devjani.

The colourful soiree began with past and present crop of thespians performing together in the inaugural act. Album and film actor Bulu performed next before passing on the baton to Sritam Das, another popular actor. While Sritam danced on Hey Shona, I love you, the next act was by Debashish, who grooved on Mo duniya tu hi tu. The gorgeous actress Anu showed her dancing skills grooving on Tame tame naho and left everyone spellbound. Her act was replete with lifts and brisk movements that exuded the actress’s command on the rhythm. Devjani and Deepak, too, featured in the long list of performers. While the actress danced on a Hindi track, the actor foot tapped on Mana mora projapati.

In tandem, there were small acts performed by the character actors. Banku Bal and Trupti Sinha played doctor and nurse of a celebrity hospital and jest about the demented behaviour of the actors if they were mentally ill. Rai Mohan, an actor who has joined jatra now, gave a monologue, asking the citizens to do something for the country. Then there were likes of Debu Bramha and Hadu who too tried to tickle the funny bones of the audience. But none of the acts were half as entertaining as that of Pappu Pom Pom, a comedian par excellence. He took digs at the music composers of the industry who are blatantly copying music.

The open-air auditorium was jam-packed as the fans turned up to get a glimpse of their favourite stars. “I have missed the celebrations many a time, because I was shooting elsewhere. But this time, I was fortunate to be a part of it,” said Buddhaditya, who was anchoring the event with Gungun. All the stars sat on the gallery steps of the auditorium instead of chairs to show that it was a time not for posturing but for sheer revelry.