Himanshu Guru
“Orissa is rich in cultural heritage and celluloid is the best medium of showcasing heritage,” says Rabi Narayan Das, the producer of the upcoming flick Emiti Bi Heipare. At a time when Oriya films are being criticised for copying scripts of movies made in south Indian film industries, the aim of discerning producers is to showcase the rich culture of Orissa.
Son of Sashikala and Jugal Kishore Das of Srirampur village in Khuda district, Rabi is an MBA from Utkal University. The 31- year-old filmmaker is an employee of East Coast Railways. He is married to Sarmistha and the couple is blessed with a daughter, Ishita. They live at VSS Nagar in the capital city.
“The film has sequences of Raja festival, Ganesh puja bhasani (immersion of the idol) and Janmastami. Every Oriya is eager to celebrate these festivals and they would love to see the festivities on the big screen. Besides, we have cast a bunch of new faces who I will continue to support in my future endeavours too,” Rabi says.
What was it that urged the young producer to invest in Oriya films? Rabi replies: “I am an art lover. My father was a palagayak and I have tried my hand at a couple of musical instruments, especially the guitar, although I am not an expert. Hearty love for art inspired me towards filmmaking. I revealed my wish to my better half and she was happy to join me. The phrase ‘behind every successful man there is a woman’ is true in our case.”
About whether he wants to continue filmmaking Rabi says: “Even if I fail in the first film, I will continue producing films. The budget of the film is Rs 40 to 60 lakh. Both me and my wife are government employees and we are producing the film with surplus money far exceeding our salaries,” he adds while dwelling on the budget of the film.
The shooting of the film began last week and it is expected to release ahead of New Year. pnn
