Bhubaneswar: Much awaited superstar Babushan starrer ‘Daman’ released this Friday. the film received a thunderous response all across Odisha and is running houseful in theatres and multiplexes in all major towns and cities.
Directed by Devi Prasad Lenka and Vishal Mourya, the film chronicles the efforts of a doctor posted in a remote hamlet of Malkangiri district, in delivering healthcare and raising awareness to reject superstitions.
Dipanwit Dashmohapatra is the second lead character in Daman, whose USP is original content based on a real life story that glued the audience to the screen.
The concept, picturisation, direction and top-notch acting, makes this movie a natural blockbuster, a long-awaited one for the Odia film industry.
The film’s makers were scouting for an offbeat concept, not romantic, not action, but something that people can directly connect with, said Mourya.
Speaking to Ommcom News, he added, “The story of the doctor who played a key role in treating Malaria patients and eradicating the disease in an interior village, struck us instantly.”
“The movie-making experience was quite challenging. We were very apprehensive whether the local audience, the producers will accept the idea of this film. It was a gamble, anything could have happened. But end of the day, the response is soul satisfying,” Mourya said.
The inclement weather and topography of the sites where Daman was shot were major impediments. However, with an extremely cooperative and talented crew and support staff, the concept transformed into reality, on reel, he added.
In a brief conversation with this portal, Lenka said, “The sole intent was to make a good movie with a message. A concept that can represent my state Odisha, beyond borders. I never expected such an overwhelming response from people for Daman, and now feel a pressure to keep delivering quality work.”
In 2020, Lenka worked on a documentary ‘DAMaN’, in Malkangiri’s Chitrakonda block where malaria and healthcare in general, were causes of worry, when the bridge over Gurupriya river was not built.
DAMaN (Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran) is a malaria intervention program initiated by Government of Odisha.
“I heard stories from people in 151 villages of Chitrakonda about their hurdles and plight for healthcare. And on the dedication of doctors, the real life heroes who saved many lives, by going that extra mile,”Lenka said.
“I was convinced, people from the state, country and beyond borders should know about the heroics of these life savers, and what better a way than Cinema.”
Lenka appealed the State Government and cinema hall owners to offer some subsidy for Odia movies, saying it was difficult to compete with Hindi and English films which are made with a big budget.
“It is a fact, our audience ponders over paying Rs 500 for an Odia movie’s ticket. They rather opt for big banner or big budget films which Bollywood can afford. For nice movies with good content, the Odia film industry needs this support from the cinema hall owners and the Government,” he added.
Films of this genre send a strong message to the society on how people in rural areas resort to superstitious practices for curing deadly diseases, said film critic Dilip Hali.
“I think such a movie in Odia industry has never been produced. Daman is an outstanding film which should be screened almost everywhere, as it would help people shun unscientific practices and embrace medical care,” Hali added.
Lamenting the downfall of Odia film industry, Hali said films should be taken seriously – “It is not any joke to make a film. This is serious, a mass media that reaches out to so many people. But today, Odia film makers make a mockery of this platform.”
“Odia directors used to be stalwarts, institutions in themselves. There was substance in Odia films earlier, just like what we saw in Daman. We certainly need more such movies for revival of the once glorious Odia film industry,” Hali added.
