Mathura Bijaya

Mathura Bijaya – The Epic Journey of Chhayavani’s Fifth Film

When the late Babulal Doshi, the visionary founder of Kala Bikash Kendra, decided to make his fifth film under the Chhayavani banner, his original plan was to bring the grand tale of ‘Kanchi Bijaya’ – a historical and mythological saga of Sri Sri Jagannath – onto the silver screen. The title was even registered with the IMPA. But destiny had other plans.

Instead of Kanchi Bijaya, Doshi chose ‘Mathura Bijaya’. Why this change? According to him, it came from a divine vision. One night, he dreamt that his Guru instructed him to make Mathura Bijaya instead. For Doshi, this wasn’t just a coincidence; it was a calling.

From Script to Screen: The Beginning

The responsibility of bringing this mythological narrative to life was handed to Amit Maitra from Kolkata. Drawing inspiration from the tenth chapter of the Shrimad Bhagabata, Maitra crafted the screenplay. Legendary poets like Abhimanyu Samantasinghar and Bhakta Charan Das had already immortalized this story through their compositions – Bidgadha Chintamani and Mathura Mangala – in simple yet powerful language.

To finalize locations, Doshi, Maitra, and art director Shri Thota traveled to Udaipur. But this journey took a mystical turn when an unknown saint handed Doshi a note warning him:
“Do not release Mathura Bijaya before 1980; it will bring misfortune.”

Doshi was shaken but determined. His Guru’s command outweighed the saint’s prophecy, and preparations continued.

Hurdles on the Path of Faith

Shooting began in Cuttack with familiar faces from previous films. But the first day of filming was not satisfactory. Everyone felt Maitra lacked the experience for a mythological epic. The director was replaced, and A. Sanjeevi, famed for Sati Anasuya, took charge. With a fresh script and new vision, shooting shifted from Calcutta to Madras studios.

But the challenges didn’t end there. Misfortunes struck like relentless waves:

• Doshi’s wife, Shantaben, fell critically ill.
• His trusted advisor Kamlesh Thakkar passed away.
• Soon after, his close relative and financial pillar, Anantaray Supariwala, also died.

These losses shattered Doshi emotionally and financially. Yet, his determination remained unbroken. He entrusted production to Kshirod Mohanty and Ranadhir Das while staying in Cuttack for his wife’s treatment. Sadly, Shantaben passed away, leaving Doshi devastated.

The Battle to Complete the Film

Despite grief and betrayal – Doshi later alleged that some Madras technicians conspired to exploit him – the film marched toward completion. On September 14, as promised, Doshi arrived in Madras with nine film prints of Mathura Bijaya. That same day, the movie premiered at Ravi Talkies, Bhubaneswar, and simultaneously released in nine theaters across Odisha including Hind and Prabhat in Cuttack.

Doshi’s unwavering will had triumphed over all odds.

Was the Saint Right?

Sadly, the film failed to captivate audiences. Missing iconic scenes – like Krishna’s birth, Vasudeva crossing the Yamuna, and Kansa’s tyranny – left viewers disappointed. Remembering the saint’s words, Doshi decided to reshoot and release a new version in 1980.

With Bengali director Sushil Mukherjee on board, additional scenes were filmed, and Doshi himself played Upananda – his only acting role. The revised version passed censor on December 26, 1979, and earned popularity, though financial woes remained.

Doshi ultimately sold his house and land to repay debts, making Mathura Bijaya the costliest Odia film of its time (over ₹14 lakhs). Hoping to recover losses, he later made Akshi Trutiya, a black-and-white film, but success still eluded him.

The Music & The Glory

If the story struggled, the music soared. Under Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Dash’s direction, songs like “Kiya Asere, Dhara Naachere Pulake Mana Hasere” (sung by Bhikari Bala) became iconic. Lyricists Narayan Prasad Singh, Baikuntha Nath Mohanty, and Gaur Patnaik penned soulful verses. Voices like Nirmala Mishra, Geeta Patnaik, Shekhar Ghosh, and others added magic.

Singers:

• Nirmala Mishra
• Geeta Patnaik
• Anindita
• Purnima
• Sarala
• Krishna
• Lily
• Shekhar Ghosh
• Subash Das
• Bhikari Bala

Popular Songs:

• Kiya Asere, Dhara Naachere Pulake Mana Hasere – Bhikari Bala (Super Hit)
• Aare Babu Shyamghan, Tu Gale Madhubhuban (from Mathura Mangala)
• Aha Mo Nanda Kole Gobinda – Narayan Prasad Singh
• Chhada Chhada Mo Anchala, Jamuna Jibi Mu Nagara – Nirmala Mishra & Shekhar Ghosh

All Songs:

• Chhada Chhada Mora Anchala, Jamuna Jibi Mu Nagara (Singers: Shekhar Ghosh, Vani Jayaram | Lyrics: Narayan Prasad Singh)
• Kie Aasere Dhara Nachere Nachi Nachi Jae (Singer: Bhikari Bal | Lyrics: Baikuntha Nath Mohanty)
• Kete Bajao Bainsi Re (Singers: Nirmala Mishra, Sekhar Ghosh, Geeta Patnaik, Sarala, Purnima, Krishna, Lily | Lyrics: Gaur Patnaik)
• Are Babu Shyamaghana (Singers: Geeta Patnaik, Purnima, Sarala, Krishna | Lyrics: Bhakta Charan Das, Narayan Prasad Singh)
• Akal Makal Takal Tian (Singers: Anindita Das, Sarala, Purnima, Krishna, Lily | Lyrics: Narayan Prasad Singh)
• Hasere Nanda Kole Gobinda (Singers: Bhikari Bal, Sekhar Ghosh, Subas Das, Geeta Patnaik, Sarala, Purnima, Krishna, Lily | Lyrics: Narayan Prasad Singh)
• Trahi Ma Jagadishwar (Singers: Bhikari Bal, Sekhar Ghosh, Subas Das, Geeta Patnaik, Sarala, Purnima, Krishna, Lily | Lyrics: Narayan Prasad Singh)

Full Cast

The cast featured big names – Sarat Pujari, Srikant Nanda, Anita Das, Jayiram Samal (Jayi) – and many more.

• Sarat Pujari
• Srikant Nanda
• Sarat Mohanty
• Mayadhar Sahu
• Sarat Patnaik
• Ashok Chakravarthy
• Chakrapani
• Himanshu Das
• Baikuntha Nath Mohanty
• Nityananda Das
• Shyam Mohapatra
• Tapas
• Ujir
• Rabikumar
• Paban Kumar
• Santosh Kumar
• Kalyan Kumar
• Anita Das
• Deepa Sahu
• Ruplekha
• Jayaram Samal (Jayi)
• Geeta Rao
• Rukmini
• Mamina
• Sujata Rath
• Parulbala
• Sujata Mishra
• Alok
• Santwana
• Indrani
• Kumudini

Crew & Technical Team

• Director & Editor: A. Sanjeevi
• Producer: Babulal Doshi
• Production Co.: Chhayavani Pratisthan
• Cinematography: P. Baburao, K.S. Prasad
• Art Direction: Thota
• Dance Direction: M. Srinivasan
• Music Conduction: Rakhal Mohanty
• Wrestling Coordination: Ramesh Babu Singh
• Makeup: M. Satyam
• Costumes: M. Sayed
• Still Photography: Das N. Das (Darari)
• Associate Director: Sreeramulu
• Assistant Directors: Himanshu, Sarath
• Processing: Gemini Laboratory
• Distributor: Chhayavani Distributors
• Financier: United Bank, Cuttack
• Main Organizer: Randhir Das

Indoor Locations:

• Prasad Studio
• Bahini Studio
• Sharda Studio
• Kharapagam Studio
• Vijaya Gardens (Madras)

Outdoor Locations:

• Dhabaleswar Village
• Safa Village
• Vishwanahakani
• Pramod Garden

Awards & Recognition

At the State Film Awards, the film won:

• Best Producer: Babulal Doshi
• Best Music Director: Balakrushna Dash
• Best Playback Singer: Bhikari Bala
• Best Child Actor: Paban Kumar

The film was later dubbed in Bengali and Bhojpuri, expanding its reach beyond Odisha.

Legacy of an Unyielding Dream

Mathura Bijaya wasn’t just a film. It was a saga of resilience, faith, and artistic passion against destiny’s harshest trials. For Babulal Doshi, the journey cost everything – wealth, comfort, even peace – but it also etched his name in the annals of Odia cinema as a man who never surrendered.

Movie Artwork

Reference: Odia Chalachitra Ra Agyat Adhyaya by Bhim Singh, Odiamelody