Movie Overview

Charidham - A Journey Within (also spelled Chardham) is an upcoming big-budget Odia film that marks one of the most anticipated releases in Ollywood cinema for 2025. The film explores themes of personal discovery, relationships, and spiritual awakening set against the backdrop of contemporary Odia society.

The movie's title refers to India's four sacred pilgrimage sites (Char Dham) - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri - symbolizing a journey of self-discovery and spiritual transformation.

Release Date & Details

📅 Theatrical Release: September 25, 2025 🎬 Genre: Spiritual Thriller / Action Drama 🎭 Language: Odia (Primary) 🎪 Release Timing: Durga Puja Festival Season 🏢 Production Banner: Camera Queen Production

The film was initially announced for Durga Puja 2023 release but has been rescheduled to September 25, 2025, to coincide with the festive season across Odisha.

Star Cast & Crew

Lead Cast

Anubhav Mohanty - Male Lead

• Ollywood superstar and BJP leader

• Known for blockbusters like Karma, Love in London, Biju Babu

• Member of Parliament from Kendrapara constituency

• Recently married to Jagruti Shukla in 2025

Mamata Tripathy - Female Lead

• Acclaimed Odia actress

• First-time pairing with Anubhav Mohanty in this film

Supporting Cast:

• Sukanta Rath (Sukant Rath)

• Ashish Kumar Das

• Other well-known Odia artists

Technical Crew

Director: Tapas Sargharia (also spelled Tapas Saragharia)

• Known for creating visually stunning action thrillers

• Previous collaborations with Anubhav Mohanty

Producer: Himadri Tanaya Das Production Company: Camera Queen Production

Story Writer: Akhil Rautray Dialogue Writer: Kumarshree Sahu Screenplay: Suresh Pattnaik

Music Directors: Somesh Satpathy & Baidyanath Das (Joint) Choreographer: Girish Mohanty Director of Photography: Subrat Kumar

About The Movie

The Story

Charidham - A Journey Within explores the spiritual and personal journey of its protagonist, interweaving themes of:

• Personal Discovery: Characters embarking on a journey to find themselves

• Spiritual Awakening: Connection to India's sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites

• Contemporary Relationships: Modern-day challenges in Odia society

• Inner Transformation: The journey within oneself

The film is described as an action thriller with spiritual undertones, revolving around themes connected to Lord Krishna and the sacred pilgrimage tradition.

Production Scale

• Budget: Big-budget production (exact figures undisclosed)

• Filming Locations: Various locations across Odisha

• Visual Style: Stunning visuals featuring India's four sacred pilgrimage sites

• Production Quality: High production values befitting Ollywood's top-tier projects

First Poster Launch

The first official poster of Charidham - A Journey Within was unveiled on June 29, 2025, coinciding with the Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri - a strategically significant date in Odisha's cultural calendar.

Poster Highlights:

• Features visuals of India's four sacred pilgrimage sites (Char Dham)

• Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri prominently displayed

• Spiritual and contemporary elements blended together

• Released at an auspicious time to connect with devotees

The movie was originally announced in front of the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, emphasizing its spiritual connection.

Music & Trailer Launch Event

Historic Public Event

The music and trailer launch of Charidham took place at the Rail Auditorium in Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, marking a historic moment in Odia cinema.

Event Details:

• Venue: Rail Auditorium, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar

• Time: 5:00 PM

• Entry: Free for all (open to public)

• Format: Concert-style entertainment evening

Event Highlights:

Live Performances:

• Original singers performing film songs

• Live renditions by musicians

• Full orchestra and band setup

Star Presence:

• Superstar Anubhav Mohanty on stage

• Cast and crew interactions

• Music directors Somesh Satpathy & Baidyanath Das

• Director Tapas Sargharia

Industry First: This marks the first time in Odia cinema that a film's audio release has been held in a public auditorium format, creating a larger platform for audiences to connect with the music before theatrical release.

Music & Songs

Music Composers: Somesh Satpathy & Baidyanath Das (Joint Directors) Choreography: Girish Mohanty

The film features multiple songs across various moods:

• Devotional tracks reflecting spiritual themes

• Romantic melodies

• High-energy dance numbers

• Background score enhancing the thriller elements

Notable Songs:

One of the songs that gained attention was "Kerkeraa" - an item song featuring Anubhav Mohanty and Sivani Sangita (though this created some controversy).

Languages & Distribution

Current Release Plans

Primary Language: Odia Distribution: Pan-Odisha theatrical release Target Audience: Odia-speaking population across India and diaspora Screen Count: Wide release across all major cities in Odisha

The film is being positioned as a major theatrical event during the Durga Puja festival, traditionally the biggest movie-going season in Odisha.

Pan-India Release Status

Current Status: As of now, Charidham is confirmed as an Odia-language exclusive release. No official announcement has been made regarding:

• Pan-India theatrical release

• Multi-language dubbing (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam)

• Simultaneous release in other Indian languages

However, given the film's:

• Big-budget production values

• Spiritual theme with universal appeal (Char Dham pilgrimage)

• Star power of Anubhav Mohanty

• Pan-Indian subject matter (India's sacred pilgrimage sites)

There is potential for:

1. Dubbed versions post theatrical release for digital platforms

1. Subtitled releases on OTT platforms reaching national audience

1. Future multi-language release if initial Odia version succeeds

Market Reach

Primary Markets:

• Odisha (all districts)

• West Bengal (Odia-speaking regions)

• Jharkhand (Odia diaspora)

• Chhattisgarh (Odia communities)

• Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Odia migrant population)

Diaspora Markets:

• USA, UK, Canada (Odia communities)

• Middle East (Odia workers)

• Southeast Asia (Odia diaspora)

Note: The trend of pan-India releases has become popular post-Baahubali, with films like Pushpa, KGF, and RRR being released in multiple languages simultaneously. If Charidham achieves significant success in Odisha, producers may consider wider language releases or OTT deals for national reach.

Controversies & Public Reception

Political Controversy

The film faced opposition before its release from the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC):

Key Points of Controversy:

• OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das opposed the use of "Chardham" in the movie title

• Claimed it was insulting to "Odia Asmita" (Odisha's cultural pride)

• Questioned BJP leader Anubhav Mohanty's use of sacred terminology

• Controversy centered around the portrayal of religious themes in promotional material

The opposition party claimed the film's poster portrayed the sacred pilgrimage in an "objectionable manner," sparking debate about cultural sensitivity and artistic freedom.

Box Office Expectations

Pre-Release Buzz

• Star Power: Anubhav Mohanty's massive fan following in Odisha

• Timing: Strategic Durga Puja festival release

• Production Values: Big-budget production with high production quality

• Fresh Pairing: First-time combination of Anubhav Mohanty and Mamata Tripathy

• Music Launch: Unprecedented public engagement through free concert

Market Potential

• Expected to be one of the biggest Odia releases of 2025

• Strong advance booking anticipated

• Potential to break Ollywood box office records

• Diaspora appeal through spiritual themes

Anubhav Mohanty: The Star

Career Highlights

• Debut: I Love You (2004)

• Notable Films: Nei Jare Megha Mote, Balunga Toka, Something Something, Karma (2024)

• Most Expensive Film: Biju Babu (2019) - though it faced political controversy

• Recent Success: Karma - When Destiny Strikes Back (2024) - massive hit

Political Career

• Current Position: Member of Parliament, Kendrapara (Lok Sabha)

• Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - joined April 1, 2024

• Previous Party: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) - resigned March 30, 2024

• Parliamentary Experience: Former Rajya Sabha member (2014)

Personal Life

• Recent Marriage: Married Jagruti Shukla in 2025 (second marriage)

• Previous Marriage: Varsha Priyadarshini (2014-2020) - ended in highly publicized divorce

Director's Vision

Tapas Sargharia is known for creating action thrillers with strong visual appeal. His vision for Charidham includes:

• Spiritual Depth: Exploring India's pilgrimage tradition meaningfully

• Contemporary Relevance: Connecting ancient wisdom to modern life

• Visual Spectacle: Showcasing sacred sites with cinematic grandeur

• Character Journey: Deep dive into personal transformation

The director has previously worked with Anubhav Mohanty and understands how to showcase the actor's strengths while telling compelling stories.

Why Charidham Matters

Cultural Significance

1. Spiritual Connection: Taps into Odisha's deep religious traditions

1. Pan-Indian Appeal: Char Dham resonates across India

1. Festival Timing: Durga Puja release enhances cultural connect

1. Production Scale: Raises standards for Odia cinema

Industry Impact

1. Budget Benchmark: Big-budget production sets new standards

1. Public Engagement: Free music launch democratizes film promotion

1. Technical Excellence: High production values inspire industry

1. Star-Director Combo: Successful pairing raises expectations

Where to Watch

Theatrical Release

Release Date: September 25, 2025 Locations: All major cinema halls across Odisha including:

• Bhubaneswar

• Cuttack

• Puri

• Berhampur

• Sambalpur

• Rourkela

• Other major cities

Digital Release

Information about OTT platform release will be announced post-theatrical run. The film is expected to stream on popular platforms like:

• AAO NXT (Odia-focused platform)

• Zee5 (Historical partner for Odia films)

• Other regional streaming services

Comparison with Recent Odia Blockbusters

Karma (2024) - Previous Anubhav Hit

• Director: Anupam Patnaik

• Rating: 7.8/10 on IMDb

• Status: Massive commercial success

• Style: Dark thriller with multiple twists

• Impact: Revitalized Odia cinema

Charidham aims to build on this success with bigger scale and spiritual themes.

Key Dates Timeline

August 5, 2023: Film announcement in front of Jagannath Temple, Puri June 29, 2025: First poster unveiled (Rath Yatra day) August-September 2025: Music and trailer launch at Rail Auditorium September 25, 2025: Theatrical release (Durga Puja season)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will Charidham release? A: The film releases on September 25, 2025, during the Durga Puja festival.

Q: Who is the director of Charidham? A: The film is directed by Tapas Sargharia.

Q: Is this Anubhav Mohanty's first film with Mamata Tripathy? A: Yes, this is their first on-screen pairing.

Q: What is the budget of the film? A: While exact figures are undisclosed, it's confirmed as a big-budget Odia production.

Q: Will the film release in other languages? A: Currently announced only in Odia language.

Q: Where was the music launch held? A: At Rail Auditorium, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar with free public entry.

Q: What is the genre of Charidham? A: It's a spiritual thriller/action drama exploring themes of personal discovery.

Final Verdict: What to Expect

Charidham - A Journey Within promises to be:

✓ Visually Spectacular: Big-budget production with stunning cinematography ✓ Spiritually Engaging: Meaningful exploration of pilgrimage and self-discovery ✓ Star-Powered: Anubhav Mohanty's charisma and strong supporting cast ✓ Musically Rich: Joint music direction by renowned composers ✓ Culturally Significant: Festival release timed for maximum impact ✓ Technically Superior: High production values raising Ollywood standards

With its combination of star power, spiritual themes, big-budget production, and strategic festival release, Charidham is positioned to be one of the biggest Odia films of 2025.

Book Your Tickets: Advance booking expected to open 7-10 days before release at all major cinema halls across Odisha.