Bhubaneswar: A special screening of Mehermunda, an Odia feature film celebrating Odisha’s weaving community and rich handloom heritage, was held at the Odisha State Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan on Saturday under the aegis of the Department of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts.
The event was attended by Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Director of Handlooms & Textiles Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, Director of Handicrafts Dr Nivedita Prusti, Utkalika Managing Director Pratap Chandra Hota, Additional Director (Silk) Surya Narayan Pattnaik, OFDC Managing Director Jyoti Ranjan Panda, senior department officials, and the film’s cast and crew.
Praising the film, Minister Samanta said Mehermunda offers an authentic portrayal of Odisha’s traditional handloom heritage, art and culture. He said the compelling storyline and quality direction would help showcase the state’s rich cultural legacy to audiences across the world.
Produced by GR Records, Mehermunda is based on the lives, struggles, and achievements of Odisha’s weaving community. The film depicts how weavers preserved their traditional art and strengthened their identity through online marketing despite the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Swain said the film has the potential to touch the hearts of every Odia and inspire society by reinforcing Odisha’s cultural values and identity.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar described Mehermunda as more than just a film, calling it a tribute to the struggles, creativity and dedication of Odisha’s weaving community. She said the film is dedicated to the state’s weavers and stands as a symbol of Odia pride and identity.
Film producer Rakesh Kumar Padhi said Mehermunda is a sincere effort to bring the history, struggles, and contributions of Odisha’s weaving community before society while promoting the state’s handloom heritage, art, and culture at the 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.
Mehermunda has received three international awards for its social message and cinematic excellence. Screenings of the film have also been organised across various districts of Odisha to create awareness among the public and students about the state’s handloom heritage.
Recognising its contribution to promoting and preserving Odisha’s handloom legacy, the Odisha government declared Mehermunda tax-free on June 9, 2026. Earlier, the film’s trailer was unveiled by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on National Handloom Day on August 8, 2025, in the presence of nearly 1,500 weavers.
The film features Jyoti Ranjan Nayak, Rakesh Kumar Padhi, Sushanta Das Mahapatra and Arlin Ankita in prominent roles.
