Lights, action, drama

Koyel and Buddhaditya in a still from the film Om Sai Ram.Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, April 4: He is the man who gifted the Odia film industry one of today’s most popular actors, Sabyasachi. Many revere him for his immense contribution to Odia films. Hara Patnaik, industry’s loving Hara bhai, suddenly disappeared from public eye after being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2008. It was in 2009, when we last saw him as an actor on the big screen for the film Kurukshetra.

After a hiatus of three years, director-producer-actor Hara Patnaik is back again, all fit-and-fine, with a multi-starrer Om Sai Ram.

The film stars Sabyasachi, Buddhaditya, Manas, Ashrumochan, Prakruti, Koyel and Mousumi.

The title of the film might make you think that it is a devotional melodrama, but Om Sai Ram is about three brothers Om (Manas), Sai (Sabyasachi) and Ram (Budhhaditya), and how their simple childhood days turn into a nightmare.

Owing to the adverse situations, the three brothers are forced to separate from each other and their parents, played by Ashrumochan and Smita Mohanty. While Om and Ram grow up as rogues, Sai becomes an honest police officer.

However, circumstances unite the three of them. The film ends on a happy note with the three brothers crushing the villains to death.

The film might remind one of Amar Akbar Anthony but the director promises it to be way different from the 1970’s classic.

“I got enough time to think and plan the story. Since I am directing after such a long time, I have given my heart and soul to the film. My crew includes some of the most talented actors and technicians from the industry. I am confident about the film’s success,” said Patnaik.

The shooting started around the end of February and Patnaik is in no mood to wrap it up in a hurry. “I don’t believe in the rat race that most of today’s directors take part in. I believe in winning the race slowly but steadily,” said Patnaik.

Actor Sabyasachi is excited to work with his first director, mentor and godfather.

“It is such a pleasure to work with him again. I play the role of a cop, not the ones you usually get to see on the big screen, but a kind-hearted romantic one. I am paired opposite Prakruti and we both are having a great time shooting for the film,” said Sabyasachi.

At present, the film is being shot across the length and breadth of Odisha. For the song and dance sequences, the team plans to take a quick tour to Vizag or Gangtok.

Mishra has scored seven tracks for the film. The makers are planning to release the film during Raja.