Gravesend, Kent / Cannes, France, May 22: The first look of Baghuni (Dance Like a Tiger), a landmark Odia-language film, was officially unveiled at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2025, during a special event at the Bharat Pavilion. The unveiling marks the first time an Odia film has secured an international co-production platform of this scale, representing a significant moment for regional Indian cinema.
The project is spearheaded by Partha Sarathi Panda, a UK-based cultural advocate originally from Odisha and currently residing in Gravesend, Kent. Mr. Panda, who serves as the Director of the Odisha Society of the United Kingdom (OSUK), has played a central role in promoting Odia language and culture internationally. He is also the founder of Glocal Films UK Limited, the production company behind Baghuni.
The unveiling was attended by prominent personalities, including filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, National Award-winning director Rima Das, and representatives from India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The Bharat Pavilion is jointly curated by the Ministry, FICCI, and NFDC to promote Indian cinema globally.
Written and directed by internationally acclaimed Odia filmmaker Jitendra Mishra, Baghuni features actor Sabyasachi Mishra in the lead role. The film’s production team includes several National Award-winning professionals such as sound designer Subash Sahoo, production designer Sukant Panigrahy, and music director Prem Anand. The script is written by Shankhajeet De and Dr. Sulagna Mohany, with dialogue by Susanta Mani and script consultancy by filmmaker Utpal Borpujari.
The film focuses on themes of societal resistance and resilience, portraying a young woman’s struggle against entrenched norms. It will be produced in Odia, Sambalpuri, Koshli, Hindi, and other languages to broaden its audience base. Production is scheduled to begin later this year.
Baghuni was also selected for Film Bazaar 2023, a prestigious co-production platform held alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. It was among 20 projects chosen from 11 countries.
NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum said, “Baghuni is a culturally rich and globally relevant project. This Indo-UK collaboration exemplifies the power of regional storytelling on the international stage.”
Mr. Panda emphasized the film’s cultural significance, stating, “This is not just about a film, but about presenting Odisha’s stories to the world. It’s the beginning of a wider cultural mission.”
The project has received strong support from the Odia diaspora, cultural organizations, and government agencies. Back in Odisha, the Cannes unveiling has sparked local celebration, with widespread recognition of the film’s symbolic importance for the state.
Baghuni is expected to open new doors for Odia cinema and set a precedent for future international collaborations in India’s regional film industries.
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