Bhubaneswar: If things go as per the plan, Kalinga Studio in Odisha capital here will once again become a sought-after place for film producers and directors.

The iconic studio, which was instrumental in bringing a new era in Odia film industry in 1980s and 90s, is now undergoing a massive transformation with the allocation of Rs 200 crore by the state government.

The first phase of the transformation work of Kalinga Studio is likely to be completed by December 31 this year, sources said.

The indoor and outdoor sequences of several popular Odia movies had been shot at Kalinga Studio in 1980s and 1990s.                 In those days, the producers and directors of Odia films had almost stopped visiting studios in cities like Kolkata and Chennai.

The super cyclone of 1999 had caused extensive damage to the iconic studio. Since then, the facility has been lying unutilized.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid foundation stone for the transformation of the studio on March 26, 2022. The state government has sanctioned Rs 200 crore to develop the Kalinga Studio with all modern facilities.

As per the plan, the studio will have artificial facilities for picturization of movie sequences at snow-clad mountains, haunted house, mall, forest, airport and railway station among others.

The construction work of entrance plaza, community hall, ticket counter, locker, security office, restaurant, café, shooting floor, sound recording room, dubbing room, auditorium, audio visual room, sound control room, animation work station, movie editing room, rehearsal room, sound proof room, photography zone, artificial village and many other facilities are now going on at full pace at the studio.

“The transformation work of Kalinga Studio is going on as per the plan. The studio will get a new look within a few months. The first phase work of the project will be completed very soon,” said Odisha Film Development Corporation chairperson Satyabrata Tripathy.

Many film personalities have expressed their hope that the transformation of Kalinga Studio will bring back the golden era of Odia movies.

“We will not face difficulties if facilities like editing, dubbing and mixing are available at one place. The producers are now bearing additional costs for getting these facilities in studios at Hyderabad and other cities. We hope that the transformation of Kalinga Studio will bring back the golden era of Odia film industry,” said director Basanta Sahu.

Actor Hara Rath, however, said the authorities should take all possible steps to facilitate the shooting of movies at Kalinga Studio. “There should be proper facilities to alter or change the shooting sets to give unique characteristic to each and every movie,” he added.

“Film producers from Odisha as well as other states will come to Kalinga Studio if the authorities manage to provide all facilities with affordable costs,” said cinematographer Shubhranshu Das.