Cuttack, Apr 28: First Odia film, 'Sita Bibaha' turned 90 today. The black-and-white and soundless film on the mythological story of Devi Sita marrying Lord Ram was released on April 28, 1936.

Ollywood celebrates 'Odia Cinema Divas' on this day to mark the beginning of cinematic entertainment in the Odia language with the release of 'Sita Bibaha'. The Odia film industry has proposed to the Odisha government to officially announce the Sita Bibah release date as the 'Odia Cinema Divas'.

The epic film was first released in the 'Laksmi Talkies' in Puri on April 28, 1936. The film was directed and produced by Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami. He also played the character of 'Bishwamitra' in the film.

Makhanlal Banerjee played the character of Lord Ram and Pravabati Devi acted as 'Sita Devi'. Arta Ballav Mohanty played the character of Laxman.

The film was shot in a studio in Calcutta, presently Kolkata. Shooting was completed on March 23, 1936. At that time, the budget of the film was only Rs 29,781.10. Producer Goswami received part of the money through donations and the rest by selling his wife's jewellery and mortgaging his house.