From Afar
A weekly column by
Sahasranshu Mahapatra, New Delhi
A song on a TV Channel caught my attention one evening. The song was from Hara Patnayak’s latest ‘Pagal Premi’ on the ETV Oriya channel. An Oriya song picturised on the roof top of a moving train and depicting the specialties of various places of Orissa was enough to attract the eyeballs of a film enthusiast from Orissa staying in Delhi.
But all enthusiasm faded away as the song continued. It suddenly reminded me of a popular Bollywood chartbuster. This song seemed to be a mere Oriya imitation of the AR Rahman composed ‘Chal Chaiya Chaiya’ from Mani Ratnam’s critically acclaimed ‘Dil Se’ (1997). There were many similarities between the two songs starting from costume to picturisation to the composition with a Rajasthani folk choreography.
Few days latter, after going through some stories on the film ‘Pagal Premi’, the grim picture turned to be a hopeful beginning. The much cherished on-screen badman of Ollywood, Hara Patnaik, has been criticized for being an expensive director. And yet his unmatched for quest of innovation and a consistent effort to explore the new possibilities has created some hope in last few years for the Oriya film industry. This song in the in the film ‘Pagal Premi’ is surely a bold step and talks of a lot of promise for the yet to be explored possibilities in the celluloid journey of the Oriyas.
Orissa is slowly emerging as a strategic location for film business in eastern region of the country. People involved with film business have started considering Bhubaneswar at par with Kolkata as the budding business centre. In this case the directors , producers, artists, technicians and all those who involved in this show-biz-world have to look beyond mere imitation or adoption of the Hindi or other language films in Oriya.
We must not forget that the Oriyas had created their identity in the celluloid world (Sita Vivah -1934-35) before establishing the geographical identity of Orissa as a state. We have a heritage of literature and culture which can be transformed into interesting stories on celluloid.
The adaptation and imitation is always welcome in the creative world but it must carry the original Oriya flavour in it.
And finally, let us hope Hara Patnaik has put forward the step already and many more to follow.
We love to cherish the bygone days of Orissa Cinema. But we equally look forward to relish everything thats happening right now in our film community. What are the new Oriya film and television releases? Who is going to emerge winner at our box offices? When will Rajja and Dussahara be declared Oriya Film Festivals? Who did you notice on your latest visit to Keshari Talkies? Find out all about it right here. At Orissa Cinema!
June 25th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
hi sir,
saw ur topic. it is nice. bur u said “all enthusiasm faded away as the song continued. It suddenly reminded me of a popular Bollywood chartbuster. This song seemed to be a mere Oriya imitation of the AR Rahman composed ‘Chal Chaiya Chaiya’ from Mani Ratnam’s critically acclaimed ‘Dil Se’ (1997). ”
i didn’t find it correct. as both the songs have same concept. so there will be some similarity in making style. in the other hand we should feel proud as our industory is techniucally so advanced and it makes us think abt hindi songs.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I think iwill agree with the writer. why do we always have to imitate and think that is the only way to be hit. Our old films (in b/w) are not so bad and we shpould learn from them than copying action scenes straight from bombay.
i cannot see the film as i am not living in orissa. but do you know if the dvd will be released anytime? thanks
June 30th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Although neither i have seen the film nor do i know anything about it, yet i totally agree with you that imitation should not become the way to success..i mean there are enough talents in a country like india and nothing can beat originality..keep the good work going..
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Hello Sir!
I emphasise “Sir”.
It is really nice to see [I have read only the first para so I write see.] your article. It’s really nice to see that you are diverging and emerging as a good writer. I never thought you would start writing about Oriya films [Having spent a good span of time with you I know you are writing about the Ollywood] so quickly. All the best. May your dreams come true quickly and you succeed in your life and career.