Akshay Kumar Parija’s ‘Papa Buka’ Set for Red Carpet Gala Premiere in 56 IFFI

Bhubaneswar:8/11/25:In its fourth edition, the Gala Premieres and Red-Carpet segment at IFFI continues to grow bigger and better. With a spectacular line-up of renowned names from the world of cinema, Gala Premieres in the past three years have created tremendous buzz, making the red carpet one of the most glamorous and sought-after highlights of the festival. Conceived with the idea of bridging the gap between audiences and stars, Gala Premieres and the Red-Carpet segment offer cinephiles an opportunity to see and engage with artists up close as they attend the festival for the World, Asia, and India premieres of their respective films.

Over the last three editions, IFFI has showcased an impressive mix of films and series such as Drishyam 2, Ae Watan Mere Watan, Bhediya, Gandhi Talks, Qala, Lost, Goldfish, Kadak Singh, Farrey, Rauta Ka Raaz, Telugu series Dhootha, international series Fauda (Season 4), and international documentary Interactions, among several others. These screenings were graced by leading celebrities, including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Aditi Rao Hydari, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manoj Bajpayee, Varun Dhawan, A.R. Rahman, Sunny Deol, Vijay Sethupathi, Karan Johar, Naga Chaitanya, Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, and Nushrat Bharucha, making the red carpet a truly star-studded affair. For the 56th IFFI Gala Premieres, the line-up promises an exciting mix of genres and languages, further raising the bar.

The selection of “Papa Buka” for a Gala Premiere at the 56th IFFI Goa is a fitting celebration of this monumental film. As Akshay Kumar Parija, who also chairs the regional OTT platform KancchaLannka, prepares to walk the red carpet, it marks another giant leap for Odia pride on the world stage. All eyes are now on this powerful film as it begins its official festival journey, carrying with it a hidden history and the hopes of two nations.

“Papa Buka” is not just another film; it is a historic cinematic achievement. It stands as the first-ever co-production between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and India, already making waves by being selected as Papua New Guinea’s first-ever official entry to the Academy Awards (Oscars). This selection alone places the film in a league of its own, highlighting its artistic and cultural significance even before its official premiere.

Directed by the celebrated three-time National Award-winning filmmaker Dr. Biju, “Papa Buka” delves into a poignant and largely forgotten chapter of world history. The film’s narrative follows two Indian historians who journey to the remote landscapes of Papua New Guinea. Their mission is to uncover the untold stories and forgotten sacrifices of Indian soldiers who fought and died there during World War II.

Guided by a wise, aging local war veteran, the titular “Papa Buka” (played by Sine Boboro), their quest evolves from a simple historical inquiry into a profound journey of memory, loss, and cultural reconciliation. The film beautifully bridges the past and the present, honouring the sacrifices of both the indigenous communities and the unrecognised soldiers.

This historic project is spearheaded by Akshay Kumar Parija, a name synonymous with quality, content-driven cinema. An ex-banker, businessman, and Harvard Business School alumnus, Parija has consistently championed films of artistic and social relevance. With 34 films to his credit across multiple languages—including Odia, Bengali, Hindi, and Malayalam—his work has earned countless accolades. His incredible tally includes multiple National Film Awards (for ‘The Living Ghost’ and ‘Kadvihawa’), 16 international awards, and 43 State Film Awards.

His involvement in “Papa Buka” continues his legacy of pushing boundaries. This Papua New Guinea-India co-production is a testament to his vision of fostering cross-cultural narratives and placing Odia and Indian cinema at the forefront of global conversations.

“Papa Buka” is a true international collaboration in every sense. The film is jointly produced by Akshay Kumar Parija Productions, Noelene Taula Wunum (NAFA Productions, PNG), celebrated director Pa Ranjith (Neelam Productions), and Prakash Bare (Silicon Media). The cast is equally diverse, featuring Indian actors Ritabhari Chakraborty and Prakash Bare alongside PNG’s John Sike and Sine Boboro. Adding to the film’s immense prestige is its original musical score, composed by none other than three-time Grammy Award-winner Ricky Kej.