Bhubaneswar: Bollywood actor, Sanjay Mishra, who will bring back the nostalgia of romance from the 80s to the big screen through his character in the upcoming Odia film ‘Madhumalati’, is in awe of Odisha’s culture and Bhubaneswar. The actor, who is currently staying in Bhubaneswar for the film’s shooting, is cherishing his stay in the city. In a recently released video clip on social media, the actor is seen praising the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal (BSABT) at Baramunda.
“I have been to several cities in India. You might be wondering I am at an airport. No, you are wrong. I have never seen such a clean and beautiful bus stand anywhere, especially in India. This is BSABT…Bhubaneswar bus stand. It is very clean, centrally air-conditioned and contrary to the perception that bus stands are filled with dirth,” he says in the video.
Sanjay Mishra in Odisha! Shooting for his debut Odiafilm, the actor praised Bhubaneswar’s Baramunda Bus Terminal as the best he’s seen in India. From modern infrastructure to Ollywood, Mishras visit is making waves ahead of his Dussehrarelease#deshbhakt24 #SanjayMishra #OdiaFilm pic.twitter.com/UjdvuegDq7
— The DeshBhakt24 (@Deshbhakt24X) August 22, 2026
That’s not all, Mishra is exploring Odisha’s culture and cuisine during his stay. And, there’s a twist. He isn’t visiting five-star hotels or swanky places to experience Odia culture. His co-star in the film, actor Bhumika Dash, reveals how he is spending his days in the temple city. “He had requested the production house to not to lodge him at any hotel. Rather, he is putting up at a home-like accommodation. He has brought his cook along with him to be able to relish Odia recipes. Not just that, on the very first or second day of his stay, he put up a mask and went around the local market in Jaydev Vihar to purchase vegetables himself,” she told OdishaBytes.
Dash goes on to praise Mishra’s humble nature. “Audiences will get to witness him in a very different role. He is often known for his comic roles in Bollywood. But in this film, he will play a serious and different role. Even Bollywood has not explored him as in this Odia film,” she said.
The film, which is being directed by Mrityunjay Sahoo, will bring back scenes of rural Odisha from the 80s. “Some of the scenes are being shot in villages around Khurda as these are perfect to replicate an ambience of the 80s. These villages don’t have houses with cemented roofs,” he said.
Speaking about the film, Dash reveals that it will depict what love and relationships meant to the generation from the 80s. “It is a nostalgic feeling for the senior citizens, who are now married and settled but might have had some relationships in the past. But due to society’s pressure or stereotypes, sometimes we forget to live for ourselves and go ahead with our relationship. And, it also shows how the senior citizens are forced to stay in old age homes today as their children don’t take care of them. But they are breaking the stereotypes and set an example. The film also shows the complexities of present generation’s love and relationships. It portrays that love doesn’t need to be always successful and have memories to cherish forever,” Dash, who is playing the lead character ‘Malati’, said.
Alongside Mishra and Dash, the film features Odia actors Mahasweta Ray, Aakash Hota, Sanoj Kumar, and Pragya Mishra.
