Kalinga Studio On Revival Path As Filmmakers Start Shooting

Kalinga Studio On Revival Path As Filmmakers Start Shooting

Odisha’s oldest and iconic studio, languishing in neglect for the last so many years, is finally catching the attention of filmmakers. The fact that the studio is showing signs of revival is a blessing for the entire Odia film fraternity. Filmmaker Dilip Panda recently shot a few scenes of his upcoming film ‘Tu Mo Suna Chadhei’, while Ramesh Rout is also shooting some sequences of his film ‘Love Express’ in the studio, which was once the happy hunting ground for cinema producers in the state.

Talking to MCL, Ramesh Rout said, “Kalinga Studio is like our mother; it’s like returning to one’s roots. I think once the renovation is complete, there will hardly be any need to go to other states and shoot in their studios. I want to invite all other directors, not only from the state but also outside, to shoot here.”

The renovation work started at the studio amidst increased hopes of cine lovers ever since actor SatyabratTripathy aka Kuna Tripathy was appointed as the OFDC Chairperson. The list of renovation includes repair of broken boundary wall, installation of new transformer, gardening as well as repair of the existing building and construction of a new one. The Government has plans of making six gardens, four cottages, wide roads, new pump house, and water fountain in the 22 acres of land at the studio. To make the shooting convenient for filmmakers, dummy spots like bus stand, railway station and petrol pump are also set to be built.

Expressing his happiness over the fact that directors have now started shooting their films in the studio, actor Kuna Tripathy told MCL, “Since the renovation work is going on, we cannot have an entire feature film shot here as of now. However, a few directors were keen on shooting a few portions of their films here and convinced me for the same. It is their love for the place that is drawing them here. I’m really glad with such a response and I feel it is a good sign for the studio and the industry.”

Kalinga Studio received attention after Secretary of Sports and Youth Services Department, Vishal Dev, wrote a letter to the GA&PA Department to allot the unutilised stretch of land of Kalinga Studio to set up a sport complex. Many actors expressed their shock at this and demanded the erstwhile studio be made functional again. After the intervention of the state government, OSIC, IDCO and R&B lent their support to the studio for its renovation, which is expected to be completed by September.