Ollywood’s Dussehra Dhamaka 2024

Ollywood’s Dussehra Dhamaka 2024

As the festive season of Dussehra is here, Ollywood is gearing up for blockbuster releases. With unavoidable circumstances and limited big screen space, the Odia makers with brave hearts all set to offer an exciting lineup of Odia films, promising entertainment, drama, and celebration for audiences. This year, the silver screen will light up with a diverse range of releases, from high-octane action thrillers to heartwarming family dramas, showcasing the rich storytelling and growing ambition of the Odia film industry.

Starting with the film ‘Atithi’, which is the first release just before Dussehra four more films like ‘Karma’, ‘Villain’, ‘Khoka Bhai Tama Paen Durga’ are all set to hit the theatres on 9th of October this year. Spoiling the Odia cinema lovers with choices this year the Ollywood box office will face no scarcity of Odia entertainment dhamaka. The blockbuster Odia movie ‘Daman’ is also having grand re-release on 9th october. Now let’s know a few more details about these upcoming films with this special story.

Karma: When Destiny Strikes Back

Carrying forward the legacy of his father, Amiya Pattnaik, and after making a mark with films like Pratikshya, which won a National Award, one of O-town’s young and dynamic filmmakers, Anupam Pattnaik, is all set to release his upcoming Odia film Karma, starring superstar Anubhav Mohanty. Produced by Barsha Pattnaik and Anupam himself, the film’s story and screenplay have been crafted by the well-known writer Manash Padhiary, with cinematography by Deepak Kumar. The dialogues have been penned by Manash Padhiary along with Nishant Majithia. Starring one of O-town’s most talented actresses, Suryamayee Mohapatra, opposite Anubhav, the film’s cast also includes actors like Choudhury Jayprakash Das, Divya Disha Mohanty, Sanoj Kumar, Manmay Dey, Nishant Majithia, Udit Guru, Tapas Sargharia, Subhajit Anand, Bhavesh, and Pradeep Debta.

The story of the film revolves around a special investigation officer Amar Patnaik and his subordinate, stranded in a graveyard, share personal stories with the caretaker William. As the night unfolds, karma reveals itself, delivering justice to all. Stranded in a remote jungle after their jeep breaks down, special investigators Amar and Sanjeev find shelter in a mysterious graveyard. As they share stories with the caretaker, hidden secrets emerge, intertwining their lives. Amar soon uncovers chilling truths and realises he’s entangled in a gripping tale of Karma and Fate. 

Talking about the film’s USPs, Anupam said, "Our Odia audience will witness Anubhav Mohanty’s return to the silver screen in his most massy avatar yet, just in time for Dussehra with ‘Karma’. We shot the film in 30 days with a budget of around Rs. 3 crore, focusing on delivering high-quality production value. The film features an ensemble cast, blending debutants with seasoned performers, promising a dynamic on-screen experience. We’ve put in our best effort to create a gripping crime thriller that aims to redefine regional cinema and compete with the best in the genre. Fingers crossed, we hope for the best response from our viewers."

The sound design of the film has been crafted by Shakti Swaroop Dwibedy. Some of O-town’s top singers, including Humane Sagar, Mantu Chhuria, Ananya Sritam Nanda, Gaurav Anand, Ashish Pradhan, and Soumya Prakash, have lent their voices to various songs composed by Ashish Pradhan. The lyrics for the songs have been penned by Durga Madhab Panda, Sumit Panda, and Manoj Kumar Panda.

While talking about the film Suryamayee said, “I have been waiting for a long time to get the opportunity to work with Anupam sir and his team on such a great script. This is the first time I have been paired with Anubhav sir and I feel truly blessed. I hope our audience will embrace our pairing. The film's screenplay is so gripping that it will keep the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish. As we all know, Anubhav sir always has something special up his sleeve to surprise his audience, and I'm sure this film will entertain them to the fullest."

YouTube fame and a newcomer actor, Manmay Dey,  believes it’s his karma that has brought him here. He said, “When this offer came to me and they asked about my remuneration, to be honest, I told them I had no idea how much to ask for. I said they could decide what they felt my work was worth, and I would happily accept it. The character was particularly challenging because this is my debut film, and I was surrounded by such experienced people. But thanks to the entire cast and crew, they made me feel so comfortable that I was able to work seamlessly. A special thanks to Anupam sir, Anubhav sir, Jayprakash sir, and Divya. Initially, I thought it might be difficult to connect with Anubhav sir, but he turned out to be such a wonderful, friendly person that he made my work feel easy. People often ask me how different it is to work in films compared to YouTube. I say there's a huge difference, and I’ve learned so much from this project."

Feeling both excited and thrilled Anubhav stated, “This is the first time I have had the opportunity to do something like this. Anupam has brilliantly connected all the characters in the story. I believe reviewers will think twice before writing anything negative about the film. The years of hard work we've put into filmmaking, and the dedication behind making this film, will speak volumes about us and the movie itself. I can guarantee my audience, fans, and well-wishers that I will never let them down. Enjoy this beautiful film this Dussehra, see you all in theatres."

Khoka Bhai Tama Paen: A Song Epic

When one talks of classic Odia songs, one name instantly comes to mind and that is none other than that of Akshaya Mohanty aka Khoka Bhai. The music legend has a fanbase which is still growing with growing generations. As the title of the film suggests, this film has been made as a tribute to him, produced by Subhendu Kumar Sahu and Bishnupriya Sahu. Directed by popular choreographer turned director Girish Mohanty, the film has young and talented actor Swaraj Barik in lead role opposite newcomer Lucky Manisha.

The cast of the film also includes other actors like Upasana Mohanty, Saroj Parida, Ankita Dash, Sukant Rath, Shweta Acharya, Jeeban Panda, Shakti Baral and Tapas Sargharia. Cinematography by Dhrubananda Panda, the story of the film has been written by Bharadwaj Panda and the elder son of Khoka Bhai, Mitrabhanu Mohanty. After years of Akshaya Mohanty passing away the Odia audience will witness a film with songs composed by him as the film has featured his own songs. 

Adding more about the film and his character Swaraj said, "This film features 10 stories inspired by 10 different songs from our legend Khoka Bhai. I feel privileged to have been chosen to pay tribute to someone who has composed songs and sung for more than 150 films, earning the title of ‘King’ of the Odia music industry. We chose to release the film during Dussehra on 9th October, not only because it’s a festive season, but more so because October 12 marks his birth anniversary. In the film, I play the character of a fanboy who shapes his life based on Khoka Bhai’s songs. Newcomer Lucky Manisha, my co-actor, has done an excellent job. Under the direction of the well-known Girish sir, we’ve all given our best, and we hope the audience will truly enjoy it."

For Girish this film is a complete celebration of Odia culture and drama. He said, “Since it’s based on the timeless songs of Khoka Bhai, there’s no need for further proof to say that it’s built on an original script. The film embodies pure Odia songs, pure Odia emotions, and authentic Odia drama and music. These days, we often categorise films as being for either the masses or the classes, but I want to make it clear that this film transcends such labels. We made this film for everyone, especially for all Odia cinema lovers. Just as every generation has been a fan of Khoka Bhai’s songs, I’m confident this film will appeal to all generations, including the youth. It will evoke nostalgia for those who grew up listening to Khoka Bhai’s music. For the festive season, we’ve crafted it on a grand canvas to offer an immersive experience on the big screen."

Durga: Marital Abuse and Justice

Perfectly blending with the eve of dussehra, titled as ‘Durga’, this upcoming Odia film has been made under the banner ‘Anasmish Production’. Directed by renowned O-town director, Tapas Sargharia, and produced by one of the young and emerging producers Pritam Kumar Sahu, the film is all set to be a poignant legal drama that delves into the harsh realities of marital abuse and the struggle for justice. With a powerful storyline, intense performances, and a deep social message, the film aims to be a landmark in Odia cinema.

Starring popular o-town actress Poonam Mishra in lead role in this women centric film, it also has other prominent actors from the industry like Raj Rajesh, Harihar Mohapatra, Abhisek Giri, Saroj Parida, Shakti Baral and Bidusmita Dash. Mirzapur fame Isha Talwar (who played the character of Madhuri in the series) will be seen playing a major character in the film. The film will be released exclusively on 9th October at Town Hall Puri, and it will be released all over Odisha on 18th October.

The story revolves around Archana Nanda (played by Isha), a 29-year-old advocate from Bhubaneswar, who becomes involved in a challenging case that changes her life. She takes on the defence of Durga (portrayed by Poonam), a woman wrongfully convicted of murdering her own child. What appears to be a simple case quickly spirals into a dark and complex tale of manipulation, abuse, and lies. Durga’s husband, Rana Pratap, a powerful and abusive man, has framed her for the crime, using his influence to hide the truth. As Archana investigates deeper, she discovers that Durga’s child is, in fact, alive, and the murder accusation is a cover-up orchestrated by Rana and his influential family.

Despite opposition from her husband, Prakash, a renowned lawyer, Archana’s determination to seek justice leads to a dramatic courtroom battle. In this high-stakes trial, she not only exposes Rana’s crimes but also sheds light on the issue of marital rape, a crime that is yet to be adequately addressed by Indian law. The film culminates with Durga’s exoneration and reunion with her child, while Archana reconciles with her husband after a journey of personal and professional conflict.

Pritam stated that ‘Durga’ touches on a very sensitive and critical issue marital rape. “This has been happening in our society for far too long, but the victims haven’t had the courage to speak up. Through this film, we want to spread awareness and encourage women to stand strong, like Maa Durga. Tapas’ direction and Poonam’s never-before-seen character make this film a powerful statement," he added.

After working in the industry for about 14 years Poonam feels fortunate to have played such a challenging role. She said, “Initially, I wasn’t sure if I could do justice to the character, but Tapas bhai believed in me. Now, after dubbing and watching my performance, I realise how impactful the story is, and I am confident that the audience will connect deeply with it. This role has allowed me to push my limits as an actor."

Raj Rajesh revealed, "My character in this film definitely carries a good amount of twists and turns. Just like Ravan is essential to the Ramayana, or Mahishasura to the story of Maa Durga, my role adds the necessary conflict and tension. To know who is truly evil and who is good, you'll need to watch the film. Working with Tapas sir was an honour and I’m excited to see how the audience responds, especially after the effort we put into the special song sequence, which we shot continuously for 32 hours."

Tapas Sargharia has masterfully woven suspense, legal drama, and emotional depth into the film, with strong performances from the actors. The film also features gripping courtroom scenes that not only bring out the truth about Durga’s case but also question societal norms regarding marriage and consent. Putting more light into the concept and idea behind making this film Tapas said, "Odia films like ‘Nari Nuhen Tu Narayani’ created history in Odia cinema. We haven't seen many women-centric commercial films in recent years, which is why we chose this subject. Through ‘Durga’, we wanted to highlight the societal issues women face, particularly in their marriages. The story has suspense, thrill, courtroom drama, and a strong message about women’s empowerment. 

‘Durga’ is not just a film about one woman’s struggle for justice; it is a powerful commentary on the way society treats women.”

“The film draws a symbolic parallel between Durga, the character, and the goddess Durga, who stands for strength, courage, and justice. It challenges the audience to reflect on the dark reality that while women are often revered as goddesses, in reality, they continue to face oppression and violence. With its bold narrative and powerful message, ‘Durga’ is set to make a lasting impact, encouraging viewers to think and act on the issues of marital abuse and women’s rights,” he signed off.

Villain: Life Of A Gangster

‘Villain’, which marks the long-awaited comeback of Odia actor Ardhendu, who last appeared on the big screen in ‘Mu Paradesi Chadhei’ is set to premiere on October 9, 2024. As claimed by the maker, it is going to be the most expensive Odia movie ever made, which boasts a staggering budget of Rs. 4 crore, a landmark in the history of Odisha’s film industry. Produced by Adilaxmi Entertainment, ‘Villain’ promises to set a new standard with its gripping storyline, high-octane action, and stellar performances.

The teaser and trailers of the film released a few weeks back has created a buzz between the Odia cinema lovers with its action scenes resembling big canvas films like ‘KGF’. One of the most loved actresses of the O-town, Tamanna, has been paired with Ardhendu for the third time with ‘Villain’. The cast of the film also includes other well-known actors like Bobby Mishra, Krishna Kar, Samaresh Routray, Usasi Mishra, Rabi Mishra, and Ilu Banerjee. Directed by K Murali Krishna, written by Debidutta Mohanty, cinematography by Pratap Rout, the film’s background score has been composed by Nabs & Saroj. 

Ardhendu plays the role of a small-town man who inadvertently gets caught in the middle of a gang rivalry, forcing him to rise as an unexpected hero. Tamanna’s role remains a closely guarded secret, adding to the intrigue. Speaking about his character and the film, Ardhendu said, “I am playing a very rugged character in the film. Some people compared it to ‘KGF’ after watching the teaser, but I want to make it clear that there’s no connection or similarity to ‘KGF’ at all. I think my bearded look and the use of a machine gun might have caused the confusion,” he chuckled. Continuing he said, “Regardless, we’re happy that the audience has shown immense love for the teasers and songs online. I want to wish all the people of Odisha a very happy Dussehra, and I’d request everyone to watch the film with family and friends. They’re definitely going to love it.”

As per the makers, one of the major highlights of ‘Villain’ is its six breathtaking fight sequences. Most of the action sequences, including an iconic scene involving a machine gun previously used in the Bollywood film ‘Animal’ were filmed at the famous Ramoji Film City. The machine gun, known for its complex maintenance, came with a hefty daily charge of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, reflecting the film's commitment to authenticity and high production values.

Like his previous films, this time also actor Ardhendu has been paired with celebrated singer Udit Narayan, who has lent his voice to four out of the five tracks; the film's audio is getting rave reviews in the online platforms. The soundtracks, released under Sidharth Music, features lyrics by Tapu Nayak, Bapu Goswami, and Ranjan Nayak, while Japani Bhai composed the memorable tunes. These songs have been beautifully choreographed by Lubun-Tubun and Biddu. 

Shot across various locations, with eighty percent of the film being filmed at Ramoji Film City and the rest at scenic destinations outside Odisha, ‘Villain’ will be a visual treat. The film’s 35-day shooting schedule speaks to the efficiency and dedication of the team behind the scenes.