Posters of blockbuster Odia film Nagaphasa. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, June 19: A group of film enthusiasts in the city will screen yesteryear blockbuster Nagaphasa next week, giving a chance to the younger generation to watch the film on the big screen 36 years after its theatrical release.

Nagaphasa was the first film of popular actor Bijay Mohanty.

The multi-starrer featured several well-known actors of the 1970s.

Directed by Basant Nayak, the film stars yesteryear heartthrob Shriram Panda in the lead opposite Malavika Ray and well-known actor Buddhaditya.

Ray, like Mohanty, made her debut with the blockbuster in which her seven-month-old son was also featured.

It also featured the acclaimed Prashant Nanda. Anita Das played a pivotal role. Mohanty was seen in a negative role though he was later seen as a hero in his career. Apart from the presence of top actors, the film’s music was immensely popular and still is.

The film is known for its songs composed by Akshay Mohanty. Akshay Mohanty, Prafulla Kar, Trupti Das, Gita Patnaik and Srikant Das lent their voices to songs such as Mo kola toh jhulana, Tik tik tik ghanta chale and Je dinu paichi mo priya.

These evergreen numbers still strike a chord with young listeners.

The film had a cult following during the time of its release.

“This was Odia film industry’s showman Basant Nayak’s first production and only directorial venture. It was also the first suspense plot in Odia cinema and no studios were used for the indoor scenes. The brilliant camerawork was done by Rajan Kinnagi whose work in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun is highly appreciated,” said Surya Deo, one of the organisers of the screening.

“Music director Akshay Mohanty was also an associate director for the film,” he said.

The film that released on December 29, 1977, will be screened at Jayadev Bhavan on June 26. Most of the crewmembers of the film will be felicitated on the occasion. Film lovers are welcome to attend the screening.