MUMBAI: The Indian film industry really seems to be exploring more ideas than ever before. This time, an Oriya film, Sala Budha (The Stupid Old Man) explores how the elders in our society are really not a liability but resources for the younger generation.

The film was promoted at the festival amid much fanfare with folk performances to grab more eyeballs. The director of the film, Sabyasachi Mohapatra said that instead of looking at elderly people as liability we should consider them a great resource for leading the society.

While interacting with the media at the sidelines of the 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Mohapatra said that one in every five persons will be over 65 by 2035 and this film is a tale of human values and generosity.The story is based on a 100 year old story penned by his father, Sahitya Akademy award winner Shri Kapileswar Prasad Mohapatra. It is a black and white film with an 83-year-old protagonist.

Made in Sambalpuri dialect spoken in the western part of Odisha, Sala Budha is one of the 26 feature films selected for the Indian Panorama category in this year’s edition. It commemorates the silver jubilee of Mohapatra’s last film in the Sambalpuri dialect, Bhukha, a widely acclaimed film.
Set in a rural backdrop, Sala Budha is a film that ventures into the folklore lives of these simple God believing people. A journey through their faiths, culture, tradition and musical lives where man has only learnt to give and share.