May 22, 2026 10:00pm IST
Nila Madhab Panda to shoot romantic musical in Russia (EXCLUSIVE)
Nila Madhab Panda will soon begin shooting his next project, with major portions to be shot in Russia. Panda, who made his debut co-directing the 2002 documentary, “Swajaldhara,” has clocked in 25 years in films. His “I Am Kalam” (2010) won several awards and accolades, including the National Best Actor award for Harsh Mayar.
A filmmaker specializing in movies and documentaries on issues ranging from environmental issues to female feticide (“Jalpari” in 2012), Panda has also won a Special Mention at the National Awards for his film “Kadwi Hawa” (2017), which revolved around droughts and vanishing villages due to water shortage. His 2020 Odia film, “Kalira Atita,” on climate change, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Odia.
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In 2023, Panda directed the web series “The Jengaburu Curse,” an ingenious thriller drama that mixes a folk legend with a criminal saga, centering on the exploitation of mineral resources.
“During the making of this series, I was toying with two ideas: a story revolving around political espionage and a love story. The love story script worked out and I will be shooting 80 percent of it in Russia,” Panda tells Variety India.
He adds, “It is a mainstream entertainer with top stars as leads." I cannot announce anything more as discussions are on.” However, he reveals that Pritam will score the music.
He adds, “Pritam da and I have known each other for quite a while. He had created a version of 'Bande Utkala Janani',” written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra in 1912, which is Odisha’s state song, for me. For a big film like this, he was the best choice.”
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