Bhubaneswar: Film bodies in Odisha on Monday demanded a formal probe into the execution and financial handling of the Rs 200 crore for redevelopment of state-owned Kalinga Studio, alleging that the money might have been misused or mismanaged.
The All Odisha Film Directors Association (AOFDA) and the Odisha Producers Guild, in a joint press conference held in Bhubaneswar, also called for the immediate appointment of a chairperson to the Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC).
“A total of ₹200 crore was sanctioned for the redevelopment of the historic stadium. We hear that ₹60 crore to ₹80 crore has already been spent. We want an investigation to ascertain if that money was actually spent on the ground because there are absolutely no facilities inside. Only the gate exists,” said prominent film directors and producers, including Sanjay Nayak and Producers Guild member Arun Mohanty.
Industry veterans pointed out that despite the massive budget, the studio lacks basic, functioning infrastructure necessary for day-to-day film production.
The ₹200 crore redevelopment project, originally approved in 2021, aimed to transform the 26-acre heritage site into a futuristic film city. In June 2025, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi directed the Industries Department to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for developing Kalinga Studio into a self-sustaining modern film st
udio complex. It was decided to focus on development of a tech building with state-of-the-art facilities for film production, indoor shooting facility equipped with modern technology, avenue land for outdoor shoots, snow world (an artificial snow-covered area for film sequences), village area (a replica of a traditional village setting for film shooting), green area with landscaped gardens and green spaces and water body, in the first phase.
Industry members, however, stated that there are no standard mock setups like a functioning courtroom, a police station, or a classroom. Without these foundational materials, filmmakers are left with nothing but “hollow glass structures”.
The associations have formally submitted a detailed complaint highlighting these grievances to the Odisha Vigilance Department and the Chief Minister’s Office.
Accusing former OFDC chairpersons – Kuna Tripathy and Munna Khan – of neglect, Nayak further stressed that the position must be filled by a capable and empathetic individual from the creative arts community — someone who genuinely understands the challenges faced by local artistes and can advocate effectively with the government. “The Chief Minister had announced that a dedicated film policy would soon be formulated to build a strong ecosystem for Odia cinema. Instead of keeping us in the dark, as was the case with Kalinga Studio, the draft policy should be made public,” he added.
Reacting to the allegations, Kuna Tripathy, who was the then OFDC, termed them as disgruntled elements in the industry. “The funds were allocated to Idco, which floated a global tender and engaged a PSU for the work. The OFDC had no role in the matter. The Managing Director of both IDCO and OFDC is the same person. The OFDC chairperson is not even a signatory authority with the role limited to advocacy. Why are they not questioning the Industries Secretary, especially since Hemant Sharma continues to hold the post?” he asked.
Tripathy added that any allegations should be properly investigated.