Bhubaneswar: Acclaimed Bollywood actor Sanjay Mishra has arrived in Bhubaneswar to begin shooting for his first Odia-language film, marking his entry into the Odia film industry after a long and celebrated career in Hindi cinema.
Mishra reached the Odisha capital on Thursday and is scheduled to shoot for the film until August 26. The shooting is set to begin on Friday.
Speaking about the project, Mishra expressed his happiness at being part of an Odia film and praised the script, describing it as an interesting one. He also appreciated Odia audiences and the work being produced by the Ollywood industry, expressing hope that the film will have a successful journey.
The upcoming film features a number of familiar faces from Odisha’s entertainment industry. Veteran actress Mahasweta Ray and popular actress Bhumika Dash are part of the cast, along with actors Aakash Hota, Sanoj Kumar and Pragya Mishra.
The makers are reportedly planning to release the film during the Dussehra festive season, traditionally one of the most important periods for Odia cinema releases and audience engagement.
During his stay in Odisha, Mishra is also planning to visit two of the state’s prominent temples—the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
His Odia cinema debut has generated considerable interest among film enthusiasts, particularly because of his reputation for bringing depth and individuality to a wide range of characters across comedy, drama and serious roles.
Sanjay Mishra is one of the most respected character actors in contemporary Hindi cinema, known for films such as Masaan, Ankhon Dekhi, Kadvi Hawa, Newton, Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Vadh. His performances have earned him several major honours, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics) for Masaan and the National Film Award for Best Actor for Kadvi Hawa. He has also received widespread critical acclaim for his distinctive screen presence and his ability to portray complex, ordinary and emotionally layered characters with remarkable authenticity.