Celluloid homage to iconic leader

Bhubaneswar: Film director Sabyasachi Mohapatra on Saturday announced a biopic on Biju Patnaik. "The full-length feature film, conceived about 25 years ago, will be ready by next year," he said.

"This is a dream project. I had conceived the film in the early 90s and prepared a script. When I drafted the budget for the film, it exceeded the resources I had at my disposal and I had to drop the idea. On his birth centenary, I decided to revive the plan," said Mohapatra. "The film will examine various facets of Biju Patnaik - as a patriot, as a leader and as a reformer. Several anecdotes will be added. The film will also offer a glimpse into his love life," he added.

Mohapatra had three meetings with Biju Patnaik in which they had discussed the project. "During these sessions, he shared things about his life that most people don't know. While handing me the state film award for 'Bhukha', he had asked me on stage why I had not made the film," Mohapatra said.

With some modifications to the script, the work may start in a couple of months. "My team has started looking for an actor who can do justice to his personality and can remind viewers of him. A number of scenes, like the famous rescue incident of Indonesia, will have to be shot in military areas," Mohapatra said.