In a landmark moment for Odia cinema and regional storytelling, the first look of the Odia feature film Baghuni (Dance Like a Tiger) was officially unveiled at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in France. This significant milestone marks Baghuni as the first-ever international Indo-UK co-production from Odisha to be introduced at the world’s most prestigious film event, giving a major boost to the global recognition of Odia films and culture.

The unveiling took place at the Bharat Pavilion, hosted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, as part of the official programming at Cannes. The first-look motion poster of Baghuni was launched in the presence of a host of national and international film industry dignitaries and celebrities, including acclaimed filmmaker and IFFI Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das, Sreerag M, Officer on Special Duty (Films), Ministry of I&B, Government of India, Gautam Bhanot, GM - Film Promotions and International Participation, NFDC, Vineeta Mishra, Head of Programming at NFDC Film Bazaar, and many more.

The film is written and directed by internationally renowned filmmaker Jitendra Mishra, whose previous work includes I Am Kalam, The Last Color, and Barefoot Empress. The project is a co-production between the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), Glocal Films UK Limited (founded by Odisha-born, London-based producer Partha Panda), and Cinema4Good Pvt. Ltd., owned by Jitendra Mishra.

Baghuni stars Ollywood superstar Sabyasachi Mishra in the lead role and features an elite crew comprising multiple National Award-winning talents. The sound design is helmed by Subash Sahoo, production design by Sukant Panigrahy, and music by renowned composer Prem Anand. The film's screenplay is co-written by Shankhajeet De, Dr. Sulagna Mohany, and Utpal Borpujari, while the dialogues are penned by noted filmmaker Susanta Mani.

The film will be shot extensively across Odisha and London during September and October 2025. It will be produced in multiple languages including Odia, Sambalpuri, Koshli, and Hindi, making it a truly multilingual and cross-cultural cinematic endeavor. According to the filmmakers, Baghuni is “an inspiring story of resilience and unstoppable courage.” The film seeks to showcase Odisha’s rich art, heritage, and culture while also creating international opportunities for regional stories and local talent. “We are proud to have collaborated with NFDC for our dream project,” said Jitendra Mishra and Partha Panda during the Cannes announcement.

Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC, expressed his pride in supporting this project. “Baghuni is a path-breaking Indo-UK co-production that amplifies the voice of regional Indian cinema from Odisha. This collaboration is a testament to India’s storytelling diversity and its growing global resonance. NFDC is committed to promoting such unique narratives that celebrate our cultural heritage while opening doors for international opportunities,” he stated.

Director Jitendra Mishra, who has been associated with over 50 national and international films in various categories, brings vast experience to the project. His previous films include The Last Color, Buried Seeds, Desires of the Heart, Human Oak, I Am Kalam, and Barefoot Empress — many of which have won international accolades and been featured at global festivals. The announcement of Baghuni at Cannes 2025 signals a bold step forward for Odia cinema, positioning it on the international map and creating a platform for collaborative filmmaking, cross-border storytelling, and the global celebration of regional narratives.