Govt decides to renovate Kalinga Studios

BHUBANESWAR: Facing criticism from various quarters over the sports department's proposal to construct a sports complex inside Kalinga Studios, the state government has decided to renovate it.
Industries minister Anant Das on Monday said he had asked Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) to start work on the studio immediately, while micro, small and medium enterprises minister Prafulla Samal said Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) had been asked to revive it.

"I visited the studio and found it in really bad shape. There are weeds everywhere and the buildings badly need repair. I asked OSIC to start the renovation work quickly," Das told TOI. The industries department had sanctioned Rs 4 crore for its renovation last year but the work had not begun, he added.

Meanwhile, Samal said, "There should not be such a hue and cry about the studios until a final decision is taken. As per my knowledge, IDCO was entrusted with the task of reviving it at a cost of Rs 2 crore. The plan it to rebuild it along the lines of RK Studios and Gemini Studios so that filmmakers from other states can come and use the facilities. The state government will not hand over Kalinga Studios' land for any other purpose."

The studio was set up in 1982 and is spread over 25 acres. It became a point of discussion when the sports department on Friday asked the general administration department to give it the vacant land inside the premises to build a sports complex. This was criticised by members of the film industry. The studio is managed by the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) and has been lying in a dilapidated condition for years.

"IDCO was given charge of building in the campus and they have completed the construction part. Since we felt IDCO was a bit expensive, we decided to get the rest of the work - water-pipes, electricity and so on - done by OSIC. That will be done soon," said chairman of OFDC, Munna Khan.