1965
Malajanha, (Alternative Title: The Dead Moon) released in 1965, is regarded as the first new wave cinema in Odia. Considered at par with Satyajit Ray’s path-breaking Pather Panchali, it claimed the coveted President’s Certicate of merit for best Odia film in National Film Awards (1965). Written and directed by Nitai Palit, Malajanha based on novel of the same title by the Odia novelist Upendra Kishore Das.
Abhinetri, directed by Amar Ganguly under Chhayabani Pratisthan banner, was released in 1965. The film is based on Kanhu Charan Mohanty’s novel ‘Abhinetri’. Jharana Das played the roles of Chhaya & Maya, the first dual-role in Odia cinema.
Nabajanma was screened at the 3rd International Film Festival of India. It was the first Odia film to be screened at an international film festival. The movie was screened at the 3rd Indian International Film Festival held from 8-21 Jan 1965 before being released in theaters across Odisha. The theatrical release date of Nabajanma was 5th March 1965 at Prabhat Talkies, Cuttack.
