The scene was to be seen to be believed. On Thursday evening, an hour prior to the screening of the film, people arrived at the Jayadev Bhavan auditorium here to occupy their seats. Though the film was made 56 years ago and in black and white and its screening was delayed, they were seen waiting for more than three hours to meet and greet the cast and crew of the film who are septuagenarians. “Old is gold,” many of them were heard admitting.
It was a special screening of the Odia film ‘Suryamukhi’ by the Odisha Film Journalists’ Forum (FJF) that has been screening classics of Odia cinema which have faded into oblivion owing to negligence by the Government and the film industry. It was the 14th film in FJF’s screening under its Smruti-Chhaya series.
The movie, made before most of the members of the audience were born, had been released in Puri and Brahmapur way back on December 14 in 1962. It was produced by Odia actor Soumendra Mishra, who was based in Mumbai as assistant director to iconic Ramanand Sagar. Besides acting in the lead role, he had roped in Odishi dancer Minati Mishra as the lead actress, Santanu Mohapatra as music director, lata Mangeshkar and Manna De as playback singers along with Pranab Patnaik while actors of stature like Samuel Sahu (Babi) and Dhira Biswal besides Anant Mahapatra. Soumendra Mishra, Minati Mishra and Santanu Mohapatra had their debut with this film that had bagged the President’s Award as the best Odia film of the year.
“It took us two years to restore the film that was lying uncared for with the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Odisha Government for decades,” informed FJF founder-secretary and noted film historian Surya Deo.
“It is a very special feeling to be able to watch the film in which I acted 56 years ago. We even did not have any clue about the existence of this film,” stated veteran theatre personality and actor Anant Mahapatra while sharing his joy with the audience. Minati Mishra, Santanu Mohapatra and Pranab Patnaik also aired similar sentiments while profoundly thanking the FJF for its movement to revive the lost glory of landmark Odia cinema. Four of them were specially felicitated on the occasion.
A booklet containing archival materials on the film was also released on the occasion.
Earlier, rich tributes were offered to veteran actress-filmmaker Parbati Ghsoh and eminent actor Sarat Mohanty who passed away recently. A short documentary on Parbati Ghosh was also screened.
