Sambalpuri masks make a statement at Cannes Festival 

World’s most famous gathering of the cinema elite, the Cannes film festival not only brings together the greatest minds in the industry for once a year but equally attracts fashionistas from all over the world to the glamorous red carpet. 

This year, the Cannes has become more special for India because of a stupendous representation and even more so for Odisha thanks to the Sambalpuri fashion making a splash at the film festival.

And the man who played a role in making this Sambalpuri statement at the Cannes, a moment of proud for entire Odisha was none other than Odia filmmaker Jitendra Mishra. 

Jitendra, who was invited for screening of some of his movies at the film festival didn’t let the opportunity slip to popularise the Sambalpuri masks at the cine industry's biggest event.

Thanks to his efforts, a good number of known faces of the film world at the festival were spotted wearing Sambalpuri masks on their faces.

“We are doing this (to make Sambalpuri masks popular) on our level independently. Next, we are scheduled to go to Czech Republic and Vienna. We will distribute Sambalpuri masks there as well,” said Jitendra Mishra.    

Two months ago when Mishra had placed an order for 500 masks with SPU Creation of Titlagarh, neither the organistation nor the weavers did know it that their face masks would fly beyond seas to reach the French resort town and end up on the faces of the cine elite. As of now the owner of SPU Creation is cock-a-hoop. 

“Sambalpuri clothes are an integral part of our culture and identity. By distributing Sambalpuri masks among the world’s renowned filmmakers, he (Jitendra Mishra) has taken the popularity of the Sambalpuri clothes to the next level. I am really thankful to him,” said Shreetam Bedbag, owner of SPU Creation. 

Notably, Jitendra Mishra has been associated with so many critically acclaimed films including The Last Colour and Valley of Fire Files as co producer.