Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22: Almost a decade after his film Kathantara created waves in the film industry, director Himansu Shekhar Khatua is back with his new movie Matira Bandhana (The Inheritance). The film stars some of Odisha’s top slated actors and Himansu promises that his new venture will be an addition to his earlier contributions that have been appreciated by the audience.

A Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) graduate, Khatua, whose steady string of hits has given confidence to many young filmmakers, believes in telling stories in a realistic way once again. “I’m sure Matira Bandhana will be loved by the viewers since it is a touching tale depicting sensitive human values,” said Himansu. Based on Jayanta Mahapatra’s Trunk of Ganesha, the film is about the growing consumer culture in our society and how strongly it affects human sensibilities.

Himansu has once again signed Anu Choudhury, who had played the lead role in Kathantara that had received a National Award in the category of Best Odia Film in 2007. Veteran actors such as Aparajita and Mihir Das will also be seen portraying major roles in Matira Bandhana.

In fact, Das plays the protagonist, Gobinda Maharana, who earns a living by making idols. With consumerism gripping the society, the orthodox idol-maker faces financial challenges. In dire need of money, the idol-makers start taking orders for making mannequins for shops. The god-fearing idol maker is however, racked with guilt for discarding his sacred profession. What adds misery to his worries is the repeated breaking of the trunk of the Ganesh idol he is making.

The film ends with Gobinda finding ways to erase his sense of guilt and shame. The director confesses to belong to the traditional era of filmmaking. While film industries around the world are going through the wave of digital revolution, Himansu still prefers to create the celluloid magic. In Matira Bandhana the director, has shot the film in natural lights and real locations.

“We shot the film in Cuttack during Dussehra. No artificial light was used during the shooting of fireworks or immersion scenes. It was a challenge as we had to hide the camera in order to avoid unwanted attention,” says Himansu. The film is expected to release in the first half of next year. It has already received appreciation after being screened at the 13th Mumbai Film Festival and a few other events.