It took a relatively long period for the Oriya Seventh Art to start its feature film. The first film was Sita Bibaha in 1934. This was a landmark film in the history of Oriya cinema. The Oriya cinema came into existence in 1934-36 and has produced more than 300 films in the past years. The commercial films are more or less similar throughout India. Rather it is the arthouse cinema that was revived by the New Cinema in the 1980s that has given the Oriya cinema a generation of talented filmmakers. Most of these Oriya directors are graduates from FTII, Pune.

In 1975 the creation of the Orissa Film Development Corporation encouraged the construction of cinema halls. In the year 1960, for the first time in the history of Oriya cinema, Sri Lokenath received the National Award. The first Oriya actor to receive the National Award was Prasantha Nanda, one of the most talented people that the state has ever seen. Today numerous Oriya actors have made their own niche in Oriya films and given the industry the much needed boost.

Directors like AK Bir helped Oriya cinema to come out of its hibernation and reach the national and international arena as well. The history of Oriya cinema comprise of some of the most talented Oriya people in its film industry. the path that has been etched out by the maestros lie open in front of the present generation of stars and the generations to follow as well. All they need to do is follow these paths and take Oriya cinema to dizzying heights.