Thirty-six long years after its release across Odisha, “Bhakta Salabega”, the-then immensely popular Odia movie based on the life of the Muslim poet who was an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath, will be screened at the Jayadev Bhawan here on Friday by the Film Journalists’ Forum of Odisha (FJF).

FJF founder-secretary and film historian Surya Deo informed that this would be the forum’s screening of the 17th Odia film under its much-admired Smruti-Chhaya series, the objective of which is to celebrate the lost glory and legacy of the Odia cinema.

“FJF was launched on the historic day of April 28 in 2011, the day the first Odia film “Sita Vivah” was released 76 years ago. We have come together to contribute our best to the film culture and film industry of our State,” Deo explained.

Produced by the Jai Jagannath Films Private Limited by Surya Narayan Mohanty and directed by Radha, the film features popular actors Sarat Pujari, Uttam Mohanty (as Salabega), Dukhiram Swain, Biren Routray, Byomakesh Tripathy, Anita Das, Aparajita Mohanty, Jayee and Radha Panda, among others.

Deo added, “This film assumes much importance for its association with the then Bombay film industry. While Gulzar had penned lyrics for it, Manna De lent his voice, The screenplay was by Prayag Raj, who worked with popular Hindi films like “Amar Akbar Anthony”, “Coolie” and “Mard”. Even its fight master Azim Bhai had worked for the iconic film “Sholay”.

The screening of the film at 6 pm will be preceded by release of a monograph on it and felicitation of the cast and crew that include eminent actor couple Uttam-Aparajita Mohanty and comedy maestro Jayee.