Akshay Kumar Parija is a Banker, film and Serial Maker and Philanthropist. A Dubai-based businessman he was born to Khetramani and Alekha Bihari Parija in Balidhip village of coastal Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha. Parija has about 30 years of banking experience to his credit.
Through his Akshay Parija Productions, he has produced a variety of films across all genres - be it art house cinema,comedy, action or family drama. So far, seven Odia films have been released under his banner.
Family & Early Life
An alumnus of Utkal University and BJB College in Bhubaneswar Harvard Business School, USA. Akshay Kumar Parija had done his schooling from Jagannathpur High School in Tiran of undivided Cuttack district. Parija is married to Sneha Parija and the couple’s only daughter- Payal Parija is a fashion blogger, who runs the blog ‘High Heel Confidential’. He started his career as a cashier in Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) at Bissam Cuttack after completing his graduation; went ahead onto garner an experience of 30 years in different mid and senior level positions in the banking sector in 1980s. His banking career took him to places in Odisha, Chennai, New Delhi and Lucknow. He moved to Kuwait (1983-1991) and Muscat (1991-2009) to work in an International Banks and later on, founded a shipping firm that has its operations across the globe. Parija worked for eight years in Kuwait at Burgan Bank, 18 years in Muscat at National Bank of Oman and Bank Muscat and recent years, he runs Blue Lines Shipping Group as Board Member and Executive Director in Dubai.
Filmography & Love for Cinema
Produced:
Film Year
Jianta Bhoota 2008
Thukool 2012
Kehi Nuhe Kahara 2015
Gods Own People (Associate) 2016
Agastya 2016
Bye Bye Dubai 2016
Dark Winds 2016
Love U Jessica 2016
Buxi Jagabandhu (Mega Project) 2017
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 industrialization and resultant displacement, focusing on vanishing culture of Dongria Kondh tribals inhabiting the Niyamgiri Hills of Rayagada district due to mindless mining.
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 (SAFF) in the United States.
As a culture enthusiast, Akshay Kumar 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, Europe besides the USA.
‘Thukool’ was his second Ollywood venture, focussed 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 Biebhukishore for an album ‘Blue Mood’. While Devdas Chhotray has penned eight poems for the album, Biebhukishore has lent his voice to the songs.
Upcoming Project
Parija’s next project - Buxi Jagabandhu - is scheduled to be released in 2017. This is apparently the first period film being made in Ollywood to mark the 200th year of Paika revolution. For the ambitious project, Parija has taken- Anubhav Mohanty to portray the character of Buxi Jagabandhu, the leader of the Paika rebellion of 1817- which was considered the first freedom struggle before Independence. While the team is undertaking extensive research work over the subject, the film will go on the floor in 2017. 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.
Awards
Prabasi Odia Pratibha Samman, 2011 by Non-resident Odia Facilitation Centre BBSR
• 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 Sunder Dev Goswami Award ,2008 for Best film “Jianta Bhoota”
• WASITRAC Honors & Recognisation 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
• 56th National film award, 2008, Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
• Appeciation for support & contribution to Prabasi Odia Samaj, Abu-dhabi, 2013
• Membership Achiement 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
• 6th Muscat Film Festival, Jury Award for Best Foreigner Film, The Living Ghost,2010
• 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 Merorial Best Film Award for the film “Kehi Nuhe Kahara”
• Guru Gangadhar Smruti Samman, 2016,12th Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav
References
• https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=3237
• Akshay Kumar Parija Interview on Antaranga Odia Show | MBC TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Fqb2VngMc
• Gaap saap - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poqxCmNx8cc
• Akshay Kumar Parija at the Internet Movie Database
• "Interview with Odia film producer Akshay Parija". orissadiary.com/. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
• "Akshay Kumar Parija plans film on Odissi". thehindu.com/. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
• http://www.bluelinesshipping.com/our-team.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t24a8WYinw
http://www.wasitrac.org/bm/bios/bio-akshya-kumar-parija.shtml