Odisha Government decided to establish state-of-the-art film hub at Kalinga Studio

Bhubaneswar: 17/2/21:With an aim to generate employment in the entertainment industry, the Odisha Government today decided to establish a state-of-the-art film hub at the legendary Kalinga Studio. This was decided during a high-level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra at the Lokseba Bhawan conference hall.

Considering the business prospects of Kalinga Studio in the film industry, the Chief Secretary directed to develop it as a “modern state-of-the-art futuristic studio with competitive business models”. He also directed to “make the unit employment-intensive.”

“Developing it as a tourism and social destination as well,” added, Mohapatra “will enrich it with cultural vibrancy and will also fetch additional revenue”. Further, the Chief Secretary directed to operate the unit with “functional outsourcing models”. It may be pertinent to mention here that the Chief Secretary, after a recent visit to Kalinga Studio for situational review had directed the department to come up with a redevelopment plan.

Development Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Jena asked the department to work out the details of the investment, employment potential, and revenue generation timeframe for making the unit rewarding and sustainable in the competitive world of fast-changing technology

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Outlining the redevelopment proposal, Principal Secretary of Industry, Hemant Kumar Sharma presented the redevelopment plan for deliberation. He said, “Presently Kalinga studio stands almost in heart of the Capital city over an area of around 26 acres. With its nostalgic heritage and profit-making track it can be developed to a modern film center with promising future prospects.”

He added, “Presently Kalinga studio has one recording lab, editing lab, Prasad lab, indoor shooting space, garden, temple, and some cottages. With minor repairs and renovations done in the year 2014-15, the studio is able to generate revenue of around four lakh rupees per month since September 2020.

The estimated plan of around Rs 200 crore was approved in the meeting. It was decided that the new studio would be developed with three main zones. IDCO would be the executing agency for the redevelopment. Zone-1 would have the facilities like indoor shooting floors, shooting facades, central country yard, film tech zone, commercial space, and cafeteria. Zone-2 would have outdoor shooting facilitates, shooting locales, theme-based shooting gardens, kids zones, castle view, snow world, and adventure land. Zone-3 would have food court boarding and lodging facilities for the film crew, space for social and wedding destinations, etc.

Sharma further stated, “In course of its redevelopment some old structures and existing facilities would be retained for maintaining its legacy.”

Participating in the discussions, Secretary of Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Sanjay Kumar Singh said, “The pass-outs from the Biju Pattnaik Film and Television Institute of Odisha, presently working in different states have earned a good name in the creative art industry. The availability of well-trained skilled manpower in the State is another opportunity for growth of the proposed modern center.”

The Chief Secretary directed the department to go ahead with the tendering process for completing the base level earthwork before the monsoon. Target was set to complete the construction and landscaping of the core support area by December 2022.

Among others, Chairman of the Film Development Corporation, Satyabrata Tripathy; Principal Secretary, Finance, Ashok Kumar Meena; Chairman and Managing Director of IDCO, SK Singh, Managing Director of IPICOL, Nitin Vanudas Jawale and other senior officials were present in the meeting.