Explaining Reality:Odia Parallel Films

Except 'Bollywoodisation' (imitating the making of Bombay Entertainment Films)¹ , Odia films around 1970s were also influenced by the growth of 'new wave cinema' movement, which was also known as 'Parallel Cinema'. Some people believe that there has been no separate concept of 'mainstream' or 'parallel' cinema. Both are inseparable from each other and cannot be seen as two distinct and altogether separate entities. Some films are more artistic and some are less. Shyam Benegal says, “Meaningful films are ludicrously called 'parallel' cinema'."² Before the coming of the so-called masala³ films, one cannot distinguish which were masala or which were parallel or art films. But, it is a fact that a new trend was originated in mid 70s of the last century, where some people realised that mainstream films were not adequate to project the real day-to- day life of the people. Their sufferings and feelings needed more scope to be projected. So, exclusively some meaningful down to earth cinemas were made to show audience their real life which was far away from those reflected in the mainstream masala films. These cinemas gave movie-goers something more than meaningless entertainment. It also affected Odia film industry.