Bhubaneswar, July 4: A special screening of Mehermunda, a film produced by GR Records and dedicated to Odisha’s weaving community, was held on Saturday at the Odisha State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhawan, under the aegis of the Department of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts.
Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta; Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain; Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar; Handlooms & Textiles Director Somesh Kumar Upadhyay; Handicrafts Director Dr. Nivedita Prusti, Utkalika Managing Director Pratap Chandra Hota; Additional Director (Silk) Surya Narayan Pattnaik, OFDC Manging Director Jyoti Ranjan Panda and members of the cast and crew of ‘Mehermunda’ watched the special screening.
Appreciating the film, Minister Bal Samanta said that ‘Mehermunda’ is a vivid and authentic portrayal of Odisha’s traditional handloom heritage, art, and culture.
He observed that the film’s compelling storyline and high-quality direction would serve as an effective medium for showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural legacy to audiences across the world.
Produced by GR Records, ‘Mehermunda’ is an Odia feature film based on the lives, struggles, and achievements of Odisha’s weaving community. The film beautifully depicts how weavers preserved their traditional art and culture and strengthened their identity through online marketing despite the economic hardships that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Swain said that ‘Mehermunda’ has the potential to touch the hearts of every Odia and inspire society by reinforcing Odisha’s cultural values and identity.
In her address, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar observed that the film beautifully captures the emotions, creativity, and dedication of Odisha’s artisans.
She described ‘Mehermunda’ as more than just a film, calling it a meaningful tribute to the struggles, creativity, and rich cultural traditions of Odisha’s weaving community. She further said that the film is dedicated to the weaver brothers and sisters of the State and stands as a symbol of Odia pride and identity.
Film producer Rakesh Kumar Padhi said that Mehermunda is a sincere effort to bring before society the history, struggles, and contributions of Odisha’s weaving community while promoting the State’s rich handloom heritage, art, and culture at both national and international levels.
On the sidelines of the screening, exhibition stalls by Utkalika, Boyanika, and Sambalpuri Bastralaya showcased Odisha’s handloom, textile, and handicraft products. The dignitaries visited the stalls and appreciated the State’s rich craftsmanship and artistic traditions.
The film features Jyoti Ranjan Nayak, Rakesh Kumar Padhi, Sushanta Das Mahapatra, and Arlin Ankita in prominent roles.
It is noteworthy that ‘Mehermunda’ has received three international awards in recognition of its social message and cinematic excellence.
Screenings of the film have also been organised across various districts of Odisha to create awareness among the general public and students about the State’s handloom heritage.
Recognising its significant contribution towards the promotion and preservation of Odisha’s handloom legacy, the Government of Odisha declared ‘Mehermunda’ tax-free on 9 June 2026. Earlier, on the occasion of National Handloom Day on 8 August 2025, the film’s trailer was unveiled by the Chief Minister in the presence of nearly 1,500 weavers.
