''Sala Budha'' () is a 2012 Indian

Kosli language , states=India , region=Western Odisha , image= , imagecaption= 'Sambalpuri' in Odia script , speakers = million , date = 2011 census , ref= , familycolor=Indo-European , fam2= Indo-Iranian , fam3= Indo-Aryan , fam4=Eastern , fam5=Odia ...

feature film directed by

Sabyasachi Mohapatra Sabyasachi Mohapatra (born 27 August 1950 in Subarnapur district, Lehedi, India) is an Indian film director, writer, and producer in Odia cinema. He owns a production house named ''Mohapatra Movie Magic''. Career Mohapatra made his directorial ...

. The film had won awards in seven categories at

Odisha State Film Awards The Odisha State Film Awards have been conferred by the Department of Culture of the Government of Odisha, India. The awards were initiated in 1968. The awards are decided by independent juries formed by the Department of Culture. The jury ...

including best film and best director.

Plot

The story is based on a small village during British rule. In the mid-1930s, under British rule, the small villages of India were still ruled by the kings and the kings paid tax to the British government. The story revolved around a poor and small village of

Odisha Odisha (English: , ), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of ...

, India. Bhagatram Gauntia, the sarapancha (village leader) of the village, fondly called ''Sala Budha'' (The Stupid Old Man) by the villagers, is an honest and kind person and takes good care of his subjects. Due to drought, people of the village were unable to pay the tax for five years and being the village head Bhagatram Gauntia couldn't force anyone to pay it due to his kindness. And so is the village head too couldn't pay the tax to the king and was living in a threat to lose his land and leadership. He believes in God and he tries his best to help them to survive from the drought and stay together. He says god is never wrong and everything's going to be fine. Meanwhile some villagers who didn't want him to remain as village head meet the king and provoke against him. As a result, the king decides to visit the village and snatch Bhagatram Gauntia's land and leadership (as the village head). The king visits the place, learns the truth and praises him.

Cast

Atal Bihari Panda Atal Bihari Panda (1928/9 – 5 June 2021) was an Indian actor, playwright and lyricist, known for his works in Sambalpuri odia Cinema. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including two back-to-back Odisha State Film Awards for best actor. ...

*Prithviraj Nayak *Ratan Meher and crew

Release

Festival screening

The movie was selected for the

International Film Festival A film festival is an organized, extended presentation of films in one or more cinemas or screening venues, usually in a single city or region. Increasingly, film festivals show some films outdoors. Films may be of recent date and, depending upo ...

of India's Indian Panorama Section in 2013. This film was selected for the 44th

International Film Festival of India The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually, currently in the state of Goa, on the western coast of the country, the festival aims at providing a common pla ...

in 2013. This was also officially selected for the Indian Panorama section. It has also won the best feature film award at the

Jakarta International Film Festival Jakarta International Film Festival (Indonesian: ''Festival Film Internasional Jakarta'') or JiFFest is the major film festival of Indonesia held every December in the capital, Jakarta, since 1999. The festival is on a shaky financial footing and ...

Reception

Critical reception

The movie has rewarded with several award by government and acclaimed internationally.

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

* *http://incredibleorissa.com/oriyafilms/sala-budha-oriya-sambalpuri-movie-sabyasachi-mohapatra/ *http://www.orissapost.com/no-oriya-film-makes-cut-at-goa-film-festival/ *http://www.orissapost.com/self-proclaimed-godman-flees-gold-ornaments-weapons-liquor-and-objectionable-material-seized/ *http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowEntertainmentNews.asp?id=62620 *http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=48468 *http://odishasuntimes.com/2013/10/23/sabyasachi-mohapatras-sala-budha-in-indian-panorama/ {{Sabyasachi Mohapatra 2010s Odia-language films 2012 films Films directed by Sabyasachi Mohapatra