The three-day Golden Jubilee celebration of the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) concluded on a grand note at Kalinga Studio, Bhubaneswar.
The event was organized to honor the rich legacy of Odia cinema, recognize the contributions of veteran artists, and connect the younger generation with the golden era of Ollywood.
The valedictory evening was marked by a special felicitation of legendary actress Mahasweta Ray, recognizing her successful 50-year journey and immense contribution to the Odia film industry. Expressing her gratitude during the ceremony, Ray shared memories of her acting career and pledged to continue acting until her final breath. Recognized as one of Odia cinema’s most celebrated stars, her 50-year journey remains a glorious chapter in the state’s cultural history.
The closing ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Digapahandi MLA and popular actor Dr. Siddhanta Mahapatra, acclaimed veteran director Padma Shri Sisir Mishra, and OFDC Managing Director Surendra Kumar Panda.
As part of the closing day’s screenings, the 2024 film ‘Lahari’ and Mahasweta Ray’s 1980 blockbuster ‘Maa O Mamata’ were showcased to the audience. The evening culminated in vibrant cultural performances featuring music and dance by artists including Suryamayee Mahapatra, Nikita Mishra, Poonam Mishra, Bhumika Dash, Subhasis Sharma, Akash Hota, Sanoj Kumar, and Subham Nayak.
The second day of the festival had featured screenings of the National Award-winning Odia films ‘Prateeksha’ and ‘Bideh’. Former Regional Officer of CBFC Mataka, Gopalkrishna Mohapatra, alongside President’s Award-winning film critic Surya Deo, felicitated the cast and crew of both movies.
The day concluded with a nostalgic musical night where singers Debashis Mohapatra, Gita Dash, Sohini Mishra, Subhasis Mahakud, Shashank Shekhar, and Adyasha Das rendered classic Odia melodies.
