The Odisha Film Producers’ Association had postponed release of four films during the Durga Puja following the cyclone threat. The movies are romantic thriller Mu Raja Tu Rani, family drama Kehi Jane Bhala lagere, romantic comedy Akhire Akhire and suspense thriller Tu Mo Dehara Chhai.
After the Phailin and floods, three of these films have been released. Mu Raja Tu Rani was released on October 14 with Arindam acting opposite new actress Sambhabana. Sudhansu Sahu’s direction and Malay Mishra’s music are the highlights of the film. Tu Mo Dehara Chhai hit the theatres on October 15th with Amlan Das getting a second chance to prove his talent.
Anubhav-Barsha starrer Kehi Jane Bhala lagere was released October 17 in a maximum of halls all over the State. The release of Akhire Akhire has been postponed till November.
The Phailin damaged most of the theatres. In Brahmapur, Paramajyoti Chitralay, Siva Cinema and Payal talkies, which were the worst hit, will take at least six month to screen films.
Several hall owners are looking towards the State Government for help. They hope the Odisha Film Development Corporation can do a lot to revive the cinema halls.
The devastation in the film industry can be compared with the loss incurred during the Super Cyclone of 1999. Movie theatres that began mushrooming across the State in the late 1980s were hit hard by the Super Cyclone. Out of around 300 single-screen cinemas that were operational before the cyclone, only 81 were left functioning in 2010.