The Odisha government has taken a historic step toward safeguarding the 89-year-old Odia film industry by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF). The agreement paves the way for establishing a dedicated state-of-the-art film archive, ensuring long-term preservation of Odisha’s cinematic heritage.

Announced during the concluding ceremony of the 10th Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop at Kalabhoomi, the initiative highlights the state’s commitment to protecting cultural and artistic treasures. Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo emphasized that films reflect the socio-cultural identity of Odisha, noting that preservation efforts will help revive cinematic gems that have faded from public memory. Echoing this sentiment, Minister for Co-operation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Pradeep Bal Samanta stated that old Odia films serve as inspiration for future generations, making their conservation a shared responsibility.

The MoU was formally signed by Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, and FHF Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur. Although Odisha had earlier announced plans in 2020 to build a film archive at Chalachitra Bhawan under the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC), this marks the first major concrete action toward creating a specialised preservation hub.

The new archive will go beyond storing film reels and prints. It will document and conserve photographs, posters, lobby cards, costumes, props, and other rare memorabilia linked to Odia cinema. Tata Trusts will fund the project, while the state government will allocate land. The Film Heritage Foundation will oversee daily operations, ensuring that global preservation standards are followed.

The FHF has previously restored Nirad Mohapatra’s acclaimed classic Maya Miriga and is currently coordinating with stalwarts such as Prashanta Nanda and the family of late actress Parbati Ghose to restore two more iconic Odia films. Additionally, the foundation commissioned 17 new Pattachitra artworks illustrating early Odia films including Sita Bibaha, Shree Lokanath, Arundhati, and Phula Chandana, after discovering that no surviving prints, reels, or photographs of these pioneering works exist.

The 10th Film Conservation and Restoration Workshop, held from November 12 at the Odisha Handicrafts Museum in partnership with the FHF, the International Federation of Film Archives, and the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, concluded with 59 participants receiving certificates and mementos.

This landmark agreement is expected to transform Odisha’s film preservation landscape and play a vital role in reviving and celebrating the state’s rich cinematic heritage for generations to come.