The Odia Society of Ireland recently achieved a milestone by screening an Odia film, ‘Pratikshya’, in Dublin for the first time. The event saw an audience of around 75 Odias and seven to eight Irish guests, who enjoyed the movie with English subtitles at the Scientology Community Centre. The film focused on the struggles of engineers, which resonated with Non-Resident Odias. Debashis Panda, a society member, highlighted that the movie provided a refreshing change for those who hadn’t watched an Odia film in a while. Sunita Patra, a senior quality engineering manager living abroad for 25 years, shared that the film evoked nostalgic memories, reminding her of places from her upbringing. Attendees also expressed a desire to move away from dubbed regional movies and promote authentic Odia culture. Shubhasmin Rana, a post-doctoral fellow at Trinity College, Dublin, noted that modern Odia filmmakers cater to the audience’s preferences better.

The event was organized thoughtfully, offering a homey atmosphere. Alongside the movie screening, the society provided tea, popcorn, samosas, and ‘jhal muri’ to the audience. Moreover, they hired child minders to engage and care for kids while parents enjoyed the film. The young attendees participated in activities like face painting, singing, games, and dancing. Pradyumna Mishra, the cultural secretary of the society, praised the professionalism of the child minders in ensuring a pleasant experience for all. The screening marked a significant step in promoting Odia culture and cinema internationally.