Kathantara, a feature film in Oriya language, is an attempt to throw light on the trials and tribulations of 1999 Orissa cyclone survivors with particular emphasis on Kalpana (Anu Chowdhury), a young widow. Kalpana’s destiny is followed from different perspective and a tale of human predicament is built around her. The films narrative unfolds with the anniversary function of 1999 Super Cyclone that devastated coastal Orissa. This was one of the severest cyclones of the last century. It had caused absolute havoc, leaving thousands dead and many more thousands homeless and destitute. The worst affected was the Bengali Hindu refugee settlement. Aids and relief came pouring in. So also came NGOs, media persons, politicians, and vested-interest groups. With so much external influence the local value system got affected, corruption and amoral practices became rampant. Dipankar, a TV Journalist from Bangladesh, is engaged in documenting the cyclone anniversary and the status of the post-cyclone survivors. With the help of an NGO group he covers the programme, and hears a great deal about Kalpana — the much publicised cyclone widow. Dipankar takes a keen interest on her and wants to do a special feature.


Centers round the horrifying experience of a young widow who lost her husband and family in the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999.



Cast
Anu Chowdhury as Kalpana, a cyclone widow
Bhaswati Basu as Rupa
Rasesh Mohanty as Akshaya
Deba prasad Das as Deepankar
Choudhury Bikash Das as Bikash
Mihir Swain as the late husband of Kalpana
Mamuni Mishra
George Tiadi
Surya Mohanty
Ananta Mohapatra
Choudhury Jayaprakash Das
Bidyutprava Devi
Chakradhara Jena
Credits
Director – Himansu Khatua
Story – Himansu Khatua
Producer – Itirani Samanta
Composer – Swarup Nayak
Cinematographer – Sameer Mahajan
Editor – Ravi Patnaik
Art – Amiya Maharana



Awards
Kathantara went on to win several awards at the 2006 Orissa State Film Awards, including the Best feature film of the year prize, and at the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Oriya.

Orissa State Film Awards
Best feature film of the year 2006
Best Director & Best Story - Himanshu Khatua
Best Music Director - Swaroop Nayak
Best Photography - Sameer Mahajan
Best Audiography - Manas Chaudhry & Gitimugdha Sahani
Best Supporting Actress - Bhaswati Basu
Best Supporting Actor - Hadu
National Film Award
Best featured film in Oriya

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