ORISSA HAS a huge chunk of population that speaks Koshali, the predominant language of Sambalpur and Western Orissa region. However, the film industry of the State has hardly explored the potential market existing for Sambalpuri films. Hence, the venture of Maa Mangala Movies production house to produce Ullgunan - a feature film in Sambalpuri appears interesting.
Ullgunan means revolution in Sambalpuri and the film attempts to portray a revolution that had taken shape in 18th century Western Orissa by the local people against the ruling Marathas who were misbehaving with the women while coming to the villages to collect taxes, explains Deepak Panda who has scripted the story, screenplay and dialogues. “It’s partly fact and partly fiction. In fact there has been a very popular story in this region that tells how a young man’s courage to fight the mighty Marathas’ evil looks at women inspired the masses to revolt against the rulers,” he adds.
Acclaimed filmmaker Mehmood Hussain, the proud product of the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune who made the critically acclaimed film Dhare Alua, has returned to direction after a long interval. “We are confident that a filmmaker of his calibre would be able to do justice to the period film,” states producers’ duo Sanjay Sahoo and Purnamasi Sahoo. Hussain has roped in cinematographer P.Satya and Biswanath Ray as his film editor.
The cast includes Partha and Dipti – the lead pair besides many amateur actors from the region where the film’s story is based. The film has been shot in several locations in Western Orissa and actors have been chosen from among the locals to give the film an authentic flavour, says the director.
The enchanting Sambalpuri music and dance play a pivotal role in the film. Babloo Mitra has scored the music while popular singers Pankaj Jaal, Sailabhama, Pamy and a few others have lent their voice. Amulya Pal, Amir Pati and Pintoo have been the dance choreographers. The film will be ready for release in the New Year.
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