Jeypore: Kotia controversy, which has affected Odisha-Andhra Pradesh relations for several years now, took a new turn with Telugu film Extraordinary Man showing the region as part of Andhra.
The Nithin-starrer movie attempts to convey the audience that Kotia does not belong to Odisha.
In ‘Extraordinary Man‘, actor Nithin — playing an aspiring actor — meets a film director for work. Afterwards, the director briefs the actor regarding a script based on a village named ‘Kotia’ located on the border of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
In the controversial scene, the director tells Nithin’s character that Kotia was under Odisha before 1947 and merged with Andhra Pradesh post-independence. The film also asserts that the villagers possess documents such as Aadhar cards and ration cards from both states.
The director further narrates that the innocent villagers of Kotia are exasperated over a fictional antagonist engaged in criminal activities.
The movie triggered political reactions in Odisha with leaders cutting across party lines expressing concern. The leaders wanted to know if the movie was shot in Kotia and demanded clarity on the grounds based on which the movie was granted shooting permission if it was done in Kotia region.
Despite the matter being sub-judice in Supreme Court, this is a soft attempt at sidelining Odisha’s claim on the village, a local leader said.
When asked about the issue, Koraput Sub-Collector Benudhar Shabar clarified that the film was not granted permission for shooting in Kotia. He highlighted Odisha’s numerous developmental activities in the region and termed any gloomy portrayal of Odisha as unacceptable.
PNN