Produced: It was his experience of tribal culture in
Bissam Cuttack that prompted him to produce
Jiantaa Bhoota (The Living Ghost), the National Award-winning film that yet again put the limelight on Odia film Industry. Directed by
Prashant Nanda, the film dealt with exploitation of environment, economy, culture in the name of industrialisation and resultant displacement, focusing on vanishing culture of Dongria
Kondha tribals inhabiting the
Niyamgiri Hills of
Rayagada district due to mindless mining. for Best Film on Environment from
President of India Mrs.
Pratibha Patil. Both the director and producer won the National Award in 2008 from the
President of India and the sensitive film that was adjudged as the 'Best Film on Protection of Environment'. This apart,
Jianta Bhoota won seven- State Film Awards in various categories including the Best Film.
Jianta Bhoota also bagged Best Production, Best Direction and Best Film on Social Issues at the sixth Independent South Asian Film Festival (
ISAFF) in the United States. As a culture enthusiast, Akshay Parija also holds the reputation of giving international wings to
Odissi dance. For a period of over 15 years, he took Odissi onto different stages of Far East,
Middle East, and
Europe, besides the
United States. Thukool was his second
Ollywood venture, focused on
Odissi dance and portrayed the story of a dancer. Dubbed as one of the most expensive movies of 2011-12, Thukool was made at the cost of Rs 3 crore which is still the highest production cost in
Odia Film Industry. Shot in exotic locations in the Middle-East,
Thukool scored on locales, music, costumes and post-production. For the movie, Parija ensured the best of all elements of film-making including technicians. While post-production of
Thukool was done at
Chennai, some of the computer graphics were done in
London. The film starred
Archita Sahu,
Babushaan and Pakruti Mishra. The movie went on to bag five State Film Awards besides, four
ETV Cine Awards, as many
Tarang Cine Awards and seven
Chalachitra Jagat Awards. His next film was Kehi Nuhen Kahar and that was followed by association with documentary feature God's Own People which dealt with the Trinity's (Lord
Jagannath, Devi
Subhadra, Lord
Balabhadra)
Nabakalebara. The 88-minute documentary was directed by
Nila Madhab Panda (
Padmashree Awardee) to portray the unique rituals of the Trinity that occur once in every 19 years. Apart from Odia films, Akshay Kumar Parija had produced a number of reality talent hunt shows and tele-serials for different satellite channels. These include
Sahanai for
Tarang TV,
Dancing Stars and
Aaina for
Colours Odia. Akshay Kumar Parija now plans to venture into promoting Odia music at national and international forums, here he has recently tied up with
Devdas Chhotray and singer
Bibhu Kishore for an album
Blue Mood. While
Devdas Chhotray has penned eight poems for the album,
Biebhu Kishore has lent his voice to the songs. Also in the pipeline this year is Sushant Mani's much talked about
Love You Jessica that Akshya Kumar Parija has produced. He has joined hands with Nilamadhab Panda for a Hindi film titled
Dark Winds that deals with climate change. 'Kadvi Hawa' deals with the most explosive subject of the world as of today: climate change. The story is conceived and written by Padmashree Awardee Director Shri Nilamadhab Panda. Shri
Pranab Mukherjee for the Movie “Kadvi Hawa”. The movie is a positive initiative and awareness for the world of the menace of changing global climatic conditions, which affects millions across the globe. == Awards ==