Bhubaneswar: Resentment is now brewing among cine lovers in Odisha as no posters or information regarding Odia films has been displayed at the recently inaugurated National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai. The Odisha film artistes expressed deep anguish over such alleged discrimination meted out by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as posters of 25 other regional films have been displayed at the museum.
Odia film producer, Santosh Gaur said "It is sad to know that Odia cinema has found no place in the museum. The poster of first Odia film 'Seeta Vivah' made in 1936 has not been displayed which clearly shows that our cinema has been completely ignored and neglected."
The museum houses posters of several films made after 1936 but the absence of Odia film posters or any description about them has baffled cine lovers in Odisha. Be it 'Seeta Vivah', ' Matira Manisha' or national award winning movies like 'Maya Miriga' have been left out from the exhibits.
Actor and film director Prashanta Nanda said "Our films have been ignored and we believe that the museum is incomplete without Odia films. We will certainly take steps to ensure justice is meted out."
Odisha Culture Minister, Ashok Chandra Panda said that a probe will be initiated into the matter.
"I will contact the Odisha government officials in Mumbai to provide more information on the issue. I can only comment after getting the details," said Panda.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai on January 19. The state-of-the-art museum, built at a cost of over Rs 140 crore, aims to take its visitors through an absorbing journey of Indian cinema with the help of visuals, graphics and other information.
Posters of legendary actors who have donned the silver screen for over a century have also come up at the museum.