Odisha’s film industry is stepping into cultural storytelling mode again — and this time, it’s with a powerful subject rooted deep in tradition. “Kanda Mastre” is an upcoming Odia film that revives a nearly forgotten wedding ritual called Kandana — a practice that once echoed through villages during the emotional moment of a bride’s bidayi.
If you love cinema that preserves heritage instead of just chasing trends, this one deserves your attention.
What Is Kandana? The Ritual Behind the Film
Kandana was once an emotional and poetic farewell ritual in Odia weddings. During the bride’s departure, women — and sometimes the bride herself — would express sorrow, love, and separation through rhythmic wailing that resembled poetry.
It wasn’t random crying. It was structured, expressive, and deeply cultural.
But like many traditional practices, it began fading in the 1990s. Urbanization, modern wedding formats, and changing social values slowly pushed it aside.
“Kanda Mastre” explores this vanishing tradition — and asks a simple but powerful question:
What do we lose when rituals disappear?
Cast of Kanda Mastre
The film brings together a strong ensemble cast from the Odia industry:
- Bibhu Prasad
- Lipsa Mishra
- Pruthwiraj Nayak
- Dharitri Khandual
- Saraswati Devi
- Swetashree Padhy
From early conversations and trailer glimpses, Bibhu Prasad’s performance appears to carry emotional weight, especially in scenes that explore the layered complexity of tradition versus modern thinking.
Crew & Creative Team
Behind every culturally rich film is a team that understands nuance. “Kanda Mastre” is led by:
- Director / Producer / Screenplay: Biswajit Panda
- Musicians: Bikash Das, Santanu Nayak
- Cinematography: Sprasad Bubu
- Editing: Krutarth Chittaranjan Natekar, Tapan Kumar Behera
- Creative Producer: Itishree Panigrahi
- Writer: Zakiir Khan
The collaboration suggests a film that balances emotional storytelling with strong musical and visual elements — especially crucial for a subject rooted in sound and expression.
Official Trailer
The official trailer is available on YouTube and offers a raw, rooted, and emotionally layered preview of the film’s tone.
From rural landscapes to intense farewell moments, the trailer promises a story that doesn’t rely on glamour — but on authenticity.
(You can watch it on YouTube by searching: Kanda Mastre Official Trailer Zakiir Khan.)
Why Kanda Mastre Matters
Let’s be honest — regional cinema often swings between commercial entertainers and social dramas. What’s refreshing here is that “Kanda Mastre” sits in the cultural preservation zone.
It does three important things:
- Documents a disappearing ritual
- Sparks conversation about cultural memory
- Bridges generational perspectives
In a time when weddings are becoming Instagram spectacles, this film reminds us that they were once deeply emotional community events.
Where to Book Tickets
The film is listed on BookMyShow for Bhubaneswar and other cities. You can check show timings and ticket availability here:
https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/bhubaneswar/kanda-mastre/ET00488503
Early Reviews & Interviews
Interviews featuring Bibhu Prasad and director Biswajit Panda are already circulating on YouTube, where they discuss:
- The research behind Kandana
- Emotional challenges during filming
- Why preserving such traditions matters
These discussions suggest the film was made with intention — not just as a project, but as a cultural statement.
Final Thoughts
“Kanda Mastre” isn’t just another Odia movie release. It’s a reminder.
A reminder that traditions fade quietly.
A reminder that rituals hold emotional intelligence.
A reminder that cinema can archive culture.
If you care about Odisha’s heritage — or simply appreciate meaningful storytelling — this film deserves a watch.
Sometimes, the loudest stories come from traditions that have gone silent.
And “Kanda Mastre” seems ready to make one such story heard again.
