Ahmjit at 14:38, 11 April 2026

2026-04-11T14:38:08Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian film maker}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Akshay Kumar Parija
| image = Living Ghost photo.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1954|05|12}}
| birth_place = [[Jagatsinghpur district|Jagatsinghpur]], [[Orissa]], India
| children = Payal Parija
| mother = Khetramani
| father = Alekha Bihari Parija
| awards = President Award at [[64th National Film Awards]], President Award at [[56th National Film Awards]]
}}

'''Akshay Kumar Parija''' (born 12 May 1954) is an Indian filmmaker known for his depictions of [[Odia culture]] and [[Odissi|Odissi dance]] in his films. He is the first Odia to have a film, Papa Buka (2025) nominated for the 98th Academy Awards. Originally he is a [[bank]]er and currently lives in [[Dubai]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/akshay-kumar-parija-plans-film-on-odissi/article2345699.ece|title=Akshay Kumar Parija plans film on Odissi|last=Chakra|first=Shyamhari|date=2011-08-11|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=3237|title=A LIFE TRANSFORMED|last=Robert S|first=Benchley|date=2014-03-03|newspaper=Alumni|language=en-IN|issn=1553-1546|access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://incredibleorissa.com/first-odia-song-1-lakh-views-youtube-dhire-dhire/|title=First Odia Song To Cross 1 Lakh Views On Youtube in 2 Weeks|date=2016-06-05|website=IncredibleOrissa.com|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/updates/odisha-news/agastya-movie-song-ananya-nanda-winner-indian-idol-junior-crossed-100000-views-2-weeks|title=Dhire Dhire Agastya song crosses a lakh views|date=2016-06-05|website=OrissaDiary.com|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://orissadiary.com/ShowEntertainmentNews.asp?id=67611|title=Agastya Movie Song by Ananya Nanda winner of Indian Idol Junior crossed 100,000 views in 2 weeks|date=2016-06-06|website=Bhubaneswar Buzz|language=en-IN|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113065154/http://orissadiary.com/ShowEntertainmentNews.asp?id=67611|archive-date=13 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fullodisha.com/bye-bye-dubai-odia-film-mid-east-shooting|title=Bye Bye Dubai Odia Film Mid-East Shooting|date=2016-07-11|website=FullOdisha.com|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=68163|title=First time ever an Odia film to be shot in Mid-East, for 10 days|date=2016-07-11|website=orissadiary.com|language=en-IN|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113050735/http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=68163|archive-date=13 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://odishalive.tv/entertainment/music/biebhukishores-odia-songs-album-blue-mood-released/
|title=Devdas Chhotray's 'Blue Mood' set to music by Biebhukishore|date=2016-10-19|website=Odisha Live|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://sambad.in/news/state/51123.html|title=64th National Film Award |date=2017-05-04|website=Sambad.in|language=en-IN}}</ref>

== Life and career ==
'''Akshay''' Parija was born in a [[Karan (caste)|Karan]] family & he presently serves as Board Member and Executive Director to Blue Lines Shipping Group which he founded in the year 2010. He is the Chairman of Odisha's Premiere OTT Platform Kancha Lannka.<ref>{{cite news |last=Staff |first=Express News |date=10 June 2021 |title=Odisha’s first independent OTT platform Kancha Lannka to stream local content |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/jun/10/odishas-first-independent-ott-platform-kancha-lannka-to-stream-local-content-2314115.html |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=10 June 2021 |title=National Award Winning Filmmaker Akshay Parija Launches Odisha’s First OTT Platform |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/entertainment-news-national-award-winning-filmmaker-akshay-parija-launches-odishas-first-ott-platform-kancha-lannka/384795 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook India]]}}</ref> Blue Lines Shipping has its operation all across the globe.

Originally a banker for over 30 years, he transitioned into filmmaking to promote Odia culture globally. Parija has served in [[Burgan Bank]], Kuwait for 8 years (1983-1991), in [[National Bank of Oman]] for 7 years (1991-1998) and 12 years in [[Bank Muscat]] in different senior positions. He started his banking career at [[Indian Overseas Bank]] at Bissam Cuttack in 1976. In recognition of his contribution to films and television, he was accorded the [[Golden visa|Dubai Golden Visa]] in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar Parija accorded Golden Visa by Dubai, UAE Government |url=https://www.odishanewstimes.com/2023/01/28/akshay-kumar-parija-accorded-golden-visa-by-dubai-uae-government-for-his-remarkable-work-in-films-and-television/ |work=Odisha News Times |date=28 January 2023}}</ref> His international co-production ''[[Papa Buka]]'' was selected as Papua New Guinea's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Odia Producer Akshay Kumar Parija's 'Papa Buka' Becomes Papua New Guinea's Official Oscar 2026 Entry |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/odia-producer-akshay-kumar-parijas-papa-buka-becomes-papua-new-guineas-official-oscar-2026-entry20250827165515/ |work=[[ANI News]] |date=27 August 2025}}</ref>

An alumnus of [[Harvard Business School]], USA, he has studied in [[Utkal University]] (ଉତ୍କଳ ବିଶ୍ୱବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ) for Masters, and [[Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar College|BJB College]] for graduation as well. Akshay Kumar Parija has schooled from Jagannathpur High School in Tiran of undivided Cuttack district.

== Filmography ==
'''Produced:'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Film !! Director!! Year !! Language!! Awards & Remarks
|-
| Jianta Bhoota || [[Prashant Nanda]] || 2008 || [[Odia language|Odia]] || Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation at [[56th National Film Awards]] [[Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami]] Awards- 2008 for Best Film Special recognition Film Award at OMAN Green Awards' 2011 Membership Achievement Award- 2010 for his role as the Producer at OSA, San Francisco, Bay Area Jury Award for Best Foreigner Film-2010 at 6th Muscat Film Festival 
|-
| Thukool || [[Prashant Nanda]] || 2012|| Odia|| 
|-
| Kehi Nuhe Kahara || [[Susant Mani]]<ref name="Susant Mani">{{Citation|url=http://incredibleorissa.com/oriyafilms/sushant-mani|title=Susant Mani}}</ref> || 2015 || Odia || [[Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami]] Awards Best Feature Film- 2015 Best Supporting Actress Best Screenplay Best Lyrics Best Sound Best Costume Best Make-up 
|-
| [[Agastya (film)|Agastya]] || K Murlee Krishna || 2016|| Odia || 
|-
| [[Bye Bye Dubai]] || Basanta Sahoo || 2016|| Odia || 
|-
| God's Own People (A Documentary on NABAKALEBARA of Lord Shri Jagannath)|| [[Nila Madhab Panda]] || 2016|| Hindi || 
|-
| [[Kadvi Hawa]] || [[Nila Madhab Panda]] || 2016 || Hindi || President's Award at [[64th National Film Awards]] || 
|-
| Love U Jessica || [[Susant Mani]]<ref name="Susant Mani"/> || 2016|| Odia || Best Supporting Actor Best Editor Best Sound Best Screenplay 
|-
| [[Halka]] || [[Nila Madhab Panda]] || 2018|| Hindi || Grand Prix de Montreal at Toronto 
|-
| Paika Bidroha || || 2018|| Odia || Best Tele-Film Award at 30th State Tele Awards Best Director Best DOP Best Editor 
|-
| [[4 Idiots]] || Basanta Sahoo || 2018|| Odia || 
|-
| Andhakare Alo || [[Ashoke Viswanathan]] || 2018|| Bengali 
|-
| Bhija Mati Ra Swarga || [[Manmohan Mahapatra]] || 2018|| Odia || Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami-Best Film Award at 30th State Film Awards Best Director Best Screenplay Best Cinematography 
|-
| Manojer Adbut Bari || [[Anindya Chatterjee]] || 2018|| Bengali || 
|-
| [[Rasogolla]] || [[Pavel]] || 2018|| Bengali || 
|-
| [[Biju Babu]] || Debiprasad Lenka & Vishal Mourya || 2019|| Odia || 
|-
| [[Mukherjee Dar Bou]] || Pritha Chakraborty || 2019|| Bengali || 
|-
| [[Life in a Day (2019 film)|Life In A Day]] || Aniket Rumde || 2019|| Hindi || 
|-
| [[Chirkut]] || Tatwa Prakash Satapathy (Papu Pam Pam) || 2019|| Odia || 
|-
| [[Konttho]] || [[Shiboprosad Mukherjee]] & [[Nandita Roy]] || 2019|| Bengali || 
|-
| [[Gotro]] || [[Shiboprosad Mukherjee]] & [[Nandita Roy]] || 2019|| Bengali || 
|-
|}

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.

[[File:Akshay Parija.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[56th National Film Awards]] 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]] ([[Padma Shri|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.

[[File:64th National Award.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Special Mention film-2016 from the [[President of India]] 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 ==
* [[56th National Film Awards]], 2008, Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation for The Living Ghost (Jiaanta Bhoota).
* [[64th National Film Awards]] 2016 from the [[President of India]] Shri [[Pranab Mukherjee]] for the [[Movie]] "Kadvi Hawa".
* Prabasi Odia Pratibha Samman, 2011 by Non-resident Odia Facilitation Centre [[Bhubaneswar]]
* Community Service award, 2011 by [[Kuwait]] Odia Association for promoting Odia culture outside [[India]] and contribution to Odia films
* 36th Annual Function & Chalachitra Jagata Pratibha Samman, 2011 for Best Film Producer for ''Jianta Bhoota''
* [[Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami]] Awards, 2008 for Best film ''Jianta Bhoota''
* WASITRAC Honors & Recognition for Akshay Ku Parija for his extraordinary contribution in promoting international cultures & trade 2010 by Lt. Governor [[Brad Owen]], Space Needle, Seattle, 2010
* 37th Annual Orissa Society of the Americas as Member Achievement Award.
* Special recognition film award to ''The Living Ghost'' at OMAN Green Awards 2011
* Guest of Honour & Speaker 2015, Jagannath Society Of The Americas, Nashville
* Special Recognition at 42nd Annual OSA Convention' 2011
* Appreciation for support & contribution to Prabasi Odia Samaj, [[Abu dhabi]], 2013
* Membership Achievement Award, His role as the producer of the award-winning movie ''The Living Ghost'', 2010, [[San Francisco]], Bay Area, OSA
* Chitralipi Samman 2012, Best Film Jiaanta Bhoota
* 6th Muscat Film Festival, Jury Award for Best Foreigner Film, The Living Ghost, 2010
* [[Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami]] Awards Best Feature Film-2015 award at State Odia Awards
* Odia Film Fair Award, 2015, Best Producer, ''Kehi Nuhe Kahara''
* Banichitra Cine Award- 2016
* Basant Nayak Smruti Samman 2015 by Cinema Sansara
* ACRUX Showcase Odisha Awards- 2014 by Prelude Communications
* Utkal Pratibha Samman 2015
* 6th Odia Film Fair Award 2015
* Cinema Duniya Award 2016
* Chalachitra Jagat Prativa Samman, 2015, Debabrata Kar Memorial Best Film Award for the film ''Kehi Nuhe Kahara''
* Guru Gangadhar Smruti Samman, 2016, 12th Dhauli Kalinga
* ''Jiaanta Bhoota'' won record Seven State Awards, a record in Odisha

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|4161501}}
*[[56th National Film Awards]]
*[[64th National Film Awards]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parija, Akshay}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:People from Jagatsinghpur district]]
[[Category:Film producers from Odisha]]
[[Category:Indian television producers]]
[[Category:Harvard Business School alumni]]
[[Category:Producers who won the Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation National Film Award]]

Akshay Parija - Revision history

Ahmjit at 14:38, 11 April 2026