Chinha Achinha
Chinha Achinha (1979), a classic Odia film by Shashirekha Films, is celebrated for its strong story, soulful music, and stellar cast. Directed by Kumar Anand, the movie won State Awards for Best Story, Best Director, and Best Actress, marking a milestone in Odia cinema history.
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Known For Basudev Rath
Cast & Crew
Music
Basudev Rath
Lyrics
Narayan Prasad Singh
Singing
Pranab Patnaik
Movie Details
Chinha Achinha (1979): The Musical Hit
When three passionate art lovers from Cuttack decided to venture into filmmaking, they gave Odia cinema one of its most memorable classics — “Chinha Achinha” (The Known and the Unknown). Produced under the banner of Shashirekha Films in 1979, this film marked the beginning of a new era in Odia movies with its engaging story, melodious music, and stellar performances.
The Birth of Shashirekha Films
The production house Shashirekha Films was founded in 1978 by three close friends and art enthusiasts:
- Bijay Nanda – Chief Executive of the company and owner of the famous “Bijay Book Depot” near Ravenshaw College, Cuttack.
- Suresh Mohanty – Co-founder and art lover.
- Surendra Khuntia – The main financier, an industrialist who ran Hindustan Paints in Cuttack’s industrial estate.
Their shared dream was to produce quality Odia films, and thus Chinha Achinha came into existence.
The Inspiration Behind the Story
The story of Chinha Achinha was penned by Binod Nanda, the younger brother of Bijay Nanda. Binod was deeply involved in the Odia film world, having edited the popular film magazine “Chitrapari” during the late 1970s. His creative vision and storytelling passion became the foundation of this remarkable film.
Direction and Technical Team
To bring this story to life, the team chose Kumar Anand (Papa Rao), a talented filmmaker from Jatni who had previously worked as an assistant director. Chinha Achinha marked his debut as a director. Sadly, Papa Rao, who was also the husband of actress Sujata Anand, passed away in 2007, but his contribution remains iconic.
Crew Highlights
- Story: Binod Nanda
- Director: Kumar Anand (Papa Rao)
- Assistant Director: Binod Mohanty
- Script: Kumar Anand
- Dialogues: Prof. Suresh Mishra (Stewart College)
- Cinematography: P. Baburao (renowned for Kulachandrama, Sati Anasuya, Mathura Bijay)
- Music Composer: Basudev Rath
- Lyricists: Surendra Bidyadhar, Dinabandhu Rath, Narayan Prasad Singh, Binod Nanda
The Music That Captivated Audiences
The film’s soundtrack was one of its strongest assets. With lyrics by noted poets and soulful compositions by Basudev Rath, the songs became instant hits.
Notable tracks included:
- “Jhumka Tike Tu Ta Halei De” – Lyrics by Binod Nanda, sung by Tansen Singh
- “Chhai Chhebeli Ranga Rangeli” – Lyrics by Narayan Prasad Singh, sung in chorus
Playback singers such as Bhubaneswari Mishra, Pranab Patnaik, Tansen Singh, Swagatika Rath, and Bandana Rath lent their voices to make these melodies unforgettable.
Songs
- Jagatara Natha Ahe Jagannatha (Singer: Bhubaneshwari Mishra)
- Tu Ta Morea Jeebana Dhana Tu Ta Mora (Singer: Bhubaneshwari Mishra)
- Chanda Na Tume Tara Moti Na Tume Hira (Singers: Tansen Singh, Swagatika Rath)
- Chhai Chhabili Ranga Rangeli (Singers: Tansen Singh, Pranab Patnaik, Swagatika Rath)
- Jaa Re Majhi Jaa Tu Nauka Bahi Jaa (Singer: Pranab Patnaik)
- Jhumka Tike Tu Ta Halei De Rumjhum Kari (Singer: Tansen Singh)
Star Cast
- Surendra Khuntia
- Bicchi Mohanty
- Mahasweta Ray
- Sujata Anand
- Prakash Patnaik
- Kashi Rath
- Abhimanyu Dash
- Niranjan Behera
- Pitambara Sadangi
- Rukmini
- Mamina
- Rita Robert
- Jayanti
- Jyotsna
- Swapna and others
Release and Distribution
- First Release:
- 13 December 1979 – Ravi and Kalpana Talkies, Bhubaneswar
- 14 December 1979 – Grand Cinema, Cuttack
- Distributor: Vincent Films (Pranab Mitra a.k.a Kahnu Babu)
The film was shot and processed in Kolkata, ensuring high-quality technical output for its time.
Awards and Recognition
Chinha Achinha was a critical success and received accolades at the State Film Awards (1979):
- Best Story Writer – Binod Nanda
- Best Director – Kumar Anand
- Best Actress – Sujata Anand
Legacy of Chinha Achinha
More than four decades later, Chinha Achinha remains a milestone in Odia cinema. It is remembered for its creative storytelling, engaging humor, powerful performances, and evergreen music. For the Odia film industry, it symbolized passion, perseverance, and the magic of collaboration.
Movie Artwork
Reference: Odia Chalachitra Ra Agyat Adhyaya by Bhim Singh, Apple Music
