Filmmaker Sanlisa Withdraws Dharna After Odisha Govt Assures Of New Cinema Policy Next Year

Bhubaneswar: Filmmaker Sanlisa Patel called off her indefinite dharna on Tuesday after Odisha government agreed to her demands on Odia film industry.

During a meeting with actors, producers and directors of Odia film in the city on the day, Hemant Sharma, principal secretary, Industries department said the government would announce a new Odia Cinema Policy in 2023-24 financial year.

He said the provisions in the present policy, that was implemented in 2019, would be changed to streamline distribution and exhibition of Odia films. Besides simplification of the rules, online process would be included in the new policy, he added.

Besides, new film halls including single screen theatres would be opened in rural and semi-urban areas so that the number of theatres to screen Odia films can be increased. Around 40 film halls, which have closed down across the state, would be revamped and reopened.

Moreover, the government would provide subsidy to good quality films to be produced by Odia producers, the secretary assured the agitating members of Ollywood.

Besides Sanlisa, actors Mahasweta Ray and Buddhaditya, producer Sabyasachi Mahapatra, director Tapas Saragharia, music director Premanand and OFDC chairman Kuma Tripathy attended the meeting and gave their suggestions on improvement of Odia film industry.

It may be noted that Sanlisa, who was on an indefinite hunger strike since Novemeber 23, in support of her demands, had called off her agitation on November 25 following assurance from the OFDC chairman about holding the meeting. But she had said that the dharna would continue till the demands were fulfilled by the government.

Also Read: Odia Film Producer Sanlisa Patel Calls Off Hunger Strike On OFDC Chairman’s Assurance