Odisha film policy, training institute planned to revive Odia cinema
Synopsis
Odisha is betting on a dedicated film policy and a new training institute to pull its regional cinema out of stagnation — with the state's 2036 centenary year set as the cultural finish line. Chief Minister Majhi's pitch: stop imitating Bollywood, start mining Odisha's own stories of Jagannath, maritime history, and cyclone survivors.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced a dedicated film policy for the Odia film industry on 15 May 2025 in Bhubaneswar .
A film training institute will be established in Odisha to build professional filmmaking skills.
The government pledged that financial constraints will not hinder the development of Odia cinema.
Themes highlighted for Odia storytelling include Lord Jagannath , tribal culture , maritime history , and riverine culture of the Mahanadi .
Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said Odia cinema will anchor celebrations for Odisha's centenary year in 2036 .
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, 15 May announced that the state government will soon introduce a dedicated film policy aimed at reviving and strengthening the Odia film industry, calling it a vital symbol of Odisha's identity and cultural heritage. The announcement came during a special interaction held in Bhubaneswar with prominent actors, producers, and technicians from the Odia film fraternity.
What the Chief Minister Announced
Chief Minister Majhi confirmed plans for both a comprehensive film policy and a dedicated film training institute in Odisha, underscoring the government's commitment to building professional skill development infrastructure for the industry. He assured stakeholders that financial constraints would not obstruct the development of Odia cinema and pledged to create a robust film infrastructure across the state.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi said, 'Films are not merely a medium of entertainment, but a true reflection of a nation's memory, culture, emotions, and soul. A society that creates great cinema can firmly establish its identity on the global stage.'
Themes Identified for Odia Storytelling
The Chief Minister urged filmmakers to draw from Odisha's own cultural reservoir rather than imitating other regional industries. He specifically highlighted Lord Jagannath and the culture built around the deity, Odisha's maritime history, tribal culture, the human experience of natural disasters such as cyclones and floods, rural life, and the riverine culture of the Mahanadi and other rivers as rich, underexplored storytelling subjects for Odia cinema.
Political Context and Past Neglect
Majhi criticised previous state governments for neglecting the film industry, positioning the current administration as a corrective force for Odia cultural preservation. This is part of a broader push by the Odisha government to assert regional cultural identity through institutional support — a pattern seen in several other states that have used film policy as a soft-power tool.
Centenary Year and Ministerial Backing
Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, speaking at the same event, said the Odia film industry would play a central role in the celebrations marking Odisha's centenary year in 2036. The centenary milestone adds a longer-term political and cultural dimension to the policy push, suggesting the government intends the revival to be a decade-long project rather than a short-term announcement.
With a formal film policy, a training institute, and the 2036 centenary as a target horizon, the Odisha government's next steps — including the policy draft timeline and institute location — will be closely watched by the industry.
Point of View
With mixed results. The real differentiator here is the pairing of a training institute with the policy, which suggests at least some awareness that infrastructure, not just incentives, is what regional industries lack. However, the absence of specifics — no draft timeline, no institute location, no details on the financial support mechanism — means this remains an intent statement. The 2036 centenary framing is politically smart but also a long runway that could absorb accountability. The test will be whether a policy document and a functioning institute exist before the next election cycle, not before 2036.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announce for the Odia film industry?
Chief Minister Majhi announced that the Odisha government will soon roll out a dedicated film policy and establish a film training institute to revive and strengthen the Odia film industry. The announcement was made on 15 May 2025 during an interaction with film industry stakeholders in Bhubaneswar.
What is the Odisha film training institute?
The film training institute is a planned institution to be set up in Odisha focused on professional skill development in filmmaking. No location or launch date has been officially confirmed yet.
Why is the Odisha government introducing a film policy now?
Chief Minister Majhi cited decades of neglect by previous governments and the need to preserve Odia cultural identity. The push also aligns with preparations for Odisha's centenary year in 2036, which the government intends to mark with a revived regional film industry.
What themes has the Odisha government identified for Odia cinema?
CM Majhi highlighted Lord Jagannath and surrounding Odia culture, the state's maritime history, tribal culture, natural disaster narratives such as cyclones and floods, rural life, and the riverine culture of the Mahanadi as authentic storytelling subjects for Odia filmmakers.
How does Odisha's 2036 centenary year connect to this film policy?
Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated that the Odia film industry will play a major role in the celebrations marking Odisha's centenary year in 2036. This gives the film revival push a decade-long institutional horizon and ties cultural policy to a significant state milestone.
