Celebs welcome Odia films making it to OTT platforms

Amartya Bhattacharyya’s Khyanikaa - The Lost Idea is not just the first Odia film to release on an OTT platform during the Covid-19 lockdown, it has also become a torchbearer of hope for other independent filmmakers like him in the state.

Speaking to us Amartya said, “Though Khyanikaa has travelled around the world, many here at home were unable to watch it. It's satisfying to take a film to its viewers because it’s a representation of a certain culture. We really need to change the perception of Odia cinema. And for that, viewers must take pride in such films and own them. And that’s why I want every film lover of Odisha to watch and own Khyanikaa. Moreover, I'm sure many more Odia films will stream on major platforms in the near future.”
Veteran actor Choudhuri Bikash Das, who plays a mentally deranged man in the film, told us that he loves the fact that Odia films are making it to major OTT platforms. The actor, who has seen the rise and decline of Odia cinema over four decades, said, “After I got the news of Khyanikaa- The Lost Idea streaming on an OTT platform and saw so many people writing about it on social media, I feel a good change is on the horizon. I regularly watch content on these platforms, and I know they go for quality in production and storyline. Many youngsters in Odisha are making experimental content and they have the potential to break the barrier and go global,” said the actor.

Ahead of this, Amartya’s first Odia film, Capital I, was also released on an OTT platform in the US. And so was another Odia film Tulasi Apa.
Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda, whose Hindi films are on several OTT platforms, said, “I got to know about Khyanikaa streaming on OTT platform from social media posts. It’s good for any content that gets such exposure. It reaches out to more people.” To this actor Partha Sarathi Ray added, “I had heard about this film winning so many awards and accolades in national and international festivals, but had never watched it. After it started streaming on a platform, I did. It’s definitely a good thing for the film, as it can reach more people.”

Film researcher Suryo Deo too is all praise for the development. “It’s no doubt a good thing for Odia films that are getting recognition everywhere but were not releasing in Odisha. It’ll help many viewers who want quality content from Odia cinema. Hope more Odia content gets such platforms.”