Let’s go beyond

We just came out of 2013 wherein we witnessed rapid developments and progressive change in social, economic, political and cultural spheres.

Our diversity is in our strength, and the depth comes from our rural roots. I am happy to see the bridge that has been created in joining urban and rural Odisha to become a strong force. This force was the sole reason why we survived Phailin and handled it so well that we as a state got global recognition in crisis management.

Going into 2014 , we have to progress from the base set up last year as it will enhance the state for the future in all aspects whether it’s the political scenario or the state’s development and cultural aspects.

Odisha is known to be one of the richest states in India with vast natural resources and diverse cultures and now, we have a strong presence on the world map. Thus Odias are no more shy of their identity and we all have realised that it is who we are and what we do that defines us today.

We need to look deeper within us and present the vast rural culture that we have to offer. We have not even explored 10 per cent of our culture, literature and beauty in sights and sounds.

It is time we start polishing up as it is been hidden for so long that we are yet to know who we are and what we posses. It’s like they say “Jungle mein mor nacha kaun dekha”, meaning, even if you have talent and rich heritage, recognition does not come until you promote it and make it visible. Hence, it’s important to portray to the outside world that Odisha is much beyond Odissi, Konark temple and the beaches of Puri.

Our music, literature, art and diverse landscapes and pure natural beauty are beyond people’s imagination. This has to be shown in our cinema, not only in regional but global cinema.

My next film Kaun Kitney Pani Mein, which is a Bollywood film and hence would have a larger audience, is my attempt to explore a story from west Odisha, its culture, tradition, lifestyle and scenery. I have ensured to have our great Sambalpuri song Rangabati, which has been made in Hindi for the film.

I hope that this attempt will show a path for the national and international audience about the culture, colours and music of our long waiting state. I feel it’s a long due for Odisha to be in mainstream Bollywood cinema.

I feel that cinema is a very important part of human life and helps connect us to the emotional aspects within. We are always discussing and criticising politics and other state of affairs, but entertainment is very important for a human psyche and cinema plays a major role in giving people an escape from the real to the reel world.

We should look at our present cinema in Odisha and bring about a change. There are a lot of good films with various subjects happening here, but I still feel we need to focus in portraying our experiences, stories, culture and tradition in cinema.

I think we have been influenced from the mundane format of doing cut-and-paste jobs in our cinema and are basically being lazy in creating new ideas and concepts.

Now is the time to bring back the golden era of cinema in Odisha.

So, let’s be grateful to our mother Odisha for giving us so much and appreciate our efforts with a smile ... With all my heart, I wish you a promising New Year full of love and light!

(The author is a filmmaker)