Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5 (UDN): Odisha has taken a major step towards strengthening its film ecosystem with the inauguration of the redeveloped Kalinga Studio in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
Pic Credit: x.com/CMO_Odisha
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the modernised studio complex along with a dedicated cinema archive and museum, aimed at preserving the state’s rich and evolving cinematic heritage.
The redevelopment is expected to provide filmmakers with modern production and post-production facilities within the state, reducing their dependence on infrastructure outside Odisha.
From shooting floors to post-production
The revamped Kalinga Studio has been designed as an integrated film-production hub, offering facilities covering several stages of filmmaking.
The complex includes indoor shooting floors, a snow house, chroma floor and technology zone, apart from infrastructure for sound recording, dubbing, editing and post-production work.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Majhi said the upgraded facility would enable Odia filmmakers to access advanced technical infrastructure without having to travel to other states.
He also indicated that additional modern facilities would be introduced at the studio in the future.
A permanent home for Odisha’s cinematic memory
A key feature of the redevelopment is the new archive and museum, which will serve as a repository for the history of Odia cinema.
The facility is expected to preserve old films, posters, photographs and important historical documents, creating a space where future generations can explore the evolution of the state’s film industry.
Recalling the contribution of literature to Odia cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, Majhi referred to classics such as ‘Maa’, ‘Amadabata’ and ‘Matira Manisha’.
He said Odisha’s cinematic journey has been closely linked with its literary and cultural traditions.
From a 1980 film facility to a modern production hub
Established in 1980, Kalinga Studio was created to support film production in Odisha. However, years of natural disasters and rapid advances in filmmaking technology created the need for a comprehensive upgrade.
The redevelopment is intended to bring the facility in line with the changing requirements of the contemporary film industry.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Odisha’s young creative talent could make effective use of the new infrastructure.
He highlighted the growing capabilities of young professionals in acting, direction, cinematography, animation, sound design and digital storytelling.
Focus on Odisha’s stories and talent
Majhi urged young filmmakers to use Kalinga Studio to create original productions inspired by Odisha’s folklore, history, traditions and cultural heritage.
The government’s broader objective, officials indicated, is to position filmmaking as more than an entertainment industry and develop it as an economic sector capable of generating employment and supporting allied creative industries.
Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the redeveloped complex had been planned as an ultra-modern studio capable of supporting filmmakers from production through post-production.
He stressed that the film sector has the potential to become a significant economic ecosystem, generating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and creative businesses.
OFDC gets a new digital platform
The occasion also saw the launch of the new official portal of the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC), adding a digital component to the state’s efforts to strengthen the film ecosystem.
The inauguration was attended by Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Digapahandi MLA Siddhant Mahapatra, Korei MLA Akash Das Nayak, Industries Department Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma and Kalinga Studio Managing Director Surendra Kumar Panda, among others.
With upgraded production infrastructure and a dedicated museum and archive, the redevelopment of Kalinga Studio marks an attempt to connect Odisha’s cinematic past with the opportunities of its emerging film and digital-content industry.
