Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday unveiled the screenplay of Odisha’s first film ‘Sita Bibaha’ in the form of a book to mark the 81st anniversary of the release of the movie that gave impetus to the film industry.
The screenplay of the movie has been adapted and complied by Odisha Cine Critics Association (OCCA) to retell the mythological story based on Ramayana.
Directed by Mohan Sunder Deb Goswami, Sita Bibhaha film was made with budget of Rs 29,000. The movie based on the marriage of Ram and Sita had 29 scenes and 14 songs.
The film was released on April 28, 1936 at Laxmi Talkies in Puri.
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Sita Bibaha was the first complete Odia film and part of the struggle for a manifestation of Odia cultural identity in celluloid form.
OCCA secretary Dilip Hali said that reel of the film had got destroyed in a fire mishap shortly after its release and hence we urge on producers for a remake of the movie. Hali further informed that they were lucky to get the original script with the help of Mohan Sunder Deb Goswami’s family.
“The screenplay of Sita Bibhaha was found in a box,” said grandson Batraj Deb Goswami.
Director, Sabyasachi Mohapatra, on the other hand, also expressed interest for remake of the movie to preserve and relive the history.
OCCA president Pradosh Patnaik, secretary Dilip Hali, actor-turned-director- Prasanta Nanda, dialogue writer Dr Rajani Ranjan, OFDC chairman Munna Khan, director Sabyasachi Mohapatra, actor and MLA Akash Das Nayak, actors Sabyasachi Mishra and Archita were present on the occasion yesterday.