Himanshu Sekhar Guru
Today Oriya film is on its last legs due to the disastrous trend of copying plots and themes from other regional film industries. It lacks originality. But this is far from being the whole story. The good news is that some people in the industry still have fresh ideas that could revive the sagging industry. Akshya Parija is certainly one of them. So far, he has produced two films Jianta Bhuta and Thukool. Kehi Nuhen Kahara, his third project, is in the pipeline. While ‘Jianta Bhuta’ got the national award Thukool also bagged a range of state film awards. The NRI banker, businessman-cum-philanthropist is keen to produce movies with social themes to help preserve Oriya culture.
Born at Balidhip village, Parija attended BJB College where he majored in economics and political science, graduating in 1974. Initiating his professional career he took up a clerical job at a local bank and enrolled in a master’s programme in public administration at Utkal University, receiving his degree in 1978. During that time, he also took courses in banking and finance, which enabled him to take up a managerial position.
With little room for career growth in the sector he began looking for opportunities outside India and won a position with a bank in Kuwait against nearly 2,000 other applicants. It was there that Parija came to the attention of two high-level executives—Aubyn Hill and Amal Wahab. Hill subsequently became CEO of a bank in Oman and took Parija with him. Here Parija proved his worth. He was instrumental in converting a bankrupt institution into the number-one bank in the country and later became the head of its corporate banking. His work earned him the company-paid business education as well.
A banker for more than thirty years in the Middle East in top management positions, Parija co-founded Blue Lines Shipping Group in 2010 in Dubai with operations in the US, Singapore, Oman and UAE. During a short span of time the company grew into a large energy carrier with over half a million tonnage capacity. At present the group owns eight tankers and transports petroleum products and dry bulk commodities all over the world.
Besides films, Parija is an avid promoter of performing arts and culture of Orissa like Odissi, Chau, Pala and Daskathia around the world. As a filmmaker, he gained international recognition for Jianta Bhuta that won six awards at various international festivals and the prestigious National Award. Accordingly, he received the award from then President of India Pratibha Patil for the Best Film on environment protection. The film sensitively portrays the exploitation of nature and human beings in the name of development and industrialisation. It also won record seven state awards.
His second film Thukool also bagged five state film awards besides the Tarang Cine Award and ETV Cine Award. This film was about the struggle of an Oriya girl to become an established Odissi dancer. It also focusses on society’s sad perception of girls who dance. His upcoming venture Kehi Nuhen Kahara is slated to hit the theatres October 2. Sunday POST chats with the producer on investment prospects in the Oriya film industry. Excerpts:
Q. Your childhood was marred by struggle but today you have achieved what you always wanted. How is the feeling?
In the solitude of village life where the day starts with sunrise and ends at sunset all that I could do was dream and dream big. In later life I realised if a fraction of the dream were realised it would be great achievement.
Q. You got the national award for
Jianta Bhuta. To what would you ascribe your success?
Passion, honesty, sincerity, commitment, hard work and faith in God can never go unrewarded.
Q. Tell something about Thukool, your last produced film. Are you satisfied with its success?
While I am satisfied with the product the commercial success was not as much I would have liked. I quite believe there were many areas of improvement that could have made it a legendary film though it got the highest number of state awards that year.
Q. Is the Oriya industry profitable for new producers willing to invest?
Producing a film is business. One has to do the mathematics right. Doing a film for the sake of doing it without research, planning, proper execution and, above all, disrespect to audience choice doesn’t result in a good film.
Q. What is your experience of working with legendary Oriya film director Prashant Nanda?
Nanda introduced me to celluloid. And, of course, I learned the ABC of films from him. He is a great teacher and guide.
Q. Prashanta Nanda was the director of the first two films. The upcoming one has been directed by Sushant Mani. Any reason?
In simple language we need to give variety to the audience. We gave the best biryani from Prashnat Nanda and trying to give excellent Chinese fried rice through Susant Mani. Both have their remarkable talents and achievements.
Q. You have contributed a lot for the
promotion of Oriya art and culture. Have you received the required co-operation?
Yes, from revered Gurus like Guru Aruna Mohanty, Guru Meera Das and many more, but not from the government. In fact, I have never asked and they have not offered me anything despite being aware of my significant contribution.
Q. Murder mystery is a rare genre in Oriya films. What made you to believe it would work in Kehi Nuhen Kahara’?
This genre has worked all over world, all over India. Why won’t it work in Orissa? Again, a well-made film will work anywhere. And Kehi Nuhen Kahara is not a murder mystery but a romantic mystery.
Q. Do you want to don the director’s hat?
I should do what I am best at. Making a good film is a team work. As a leader I always believe I have to allot responsibilities to the right team who should work together for success.
Q. Would you like to leave a message for those interested in investing in Oriya
cinema?
The Oriya film industry, unfortunately, is on its last legs. I sincerely appeal to businessmen to come forward to work for its revival; the kind of revival that happened in Marathi cinema. An investment philosophy I would like to share. It is risky to invest directly in the stock market and safe to invest through mutual funds. I experimented with this theory in Kehi Nuhen Kahara and was partially successful. I am sure over the period the formula will work.
