Nila Madhab Panda to showcase Odisha in cinema

Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda, known for acclaimed films such as ‘I Am Kalam’ and ‘Jalpari – The Desert Mermaid’, has zeroed in on his next project – a Canadian co-production – a social satire/black comedy based close to his roots back in Odisha.

Tentatively titled ‘Uncha Gaon Neecha Gaon’, the film will deal with the issues surrounding water scarcity and sanitation against the backdrop of two fictional villages, whose inhabitants have been neighbours, and yet rivals for generations.

The look, feel and even the music and choreography promise to carry heavy folk elements from Odisha – from the folk music, colours, costumes and characters.

“There are few artistes, who do not like being associated with Odisha. Unlike them, I am a proud Odia, but I could not have straight away represented Odisha in my films. It needs time. As far as showing Odisha is concerned, one can expect a lot of surprises from me in the coming time,” said Panda.

Incidentally, more than half of his crew is originally from Odisha in his next release Love is Not Mathematics featuring Odia actress Anu Choudhury. But, his upcoming project titled Uncha Gaon Neecha Gaon is the first time Panda will bring Odisha into his film.

Revealing the synopsis of his new project, he said: “This is a story of a small, fictitious region in contemporary rural India, but the premise is such that it is global in its reach and context.”

This film will see Kunal Kapoor paired opposite Radhika Apte, with Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover. Principal photography is slated to begin by the end of this month and the shoot will span six different states across India.