Although some initiatives have been taken to support Santali cinema,[1][2] allowing it to prosper, only three films managed to make it to the big screen as of 2013[update]: Chando Likhon,[3][4][5][6] which was released in 2001, was the first film to be made on 35 mm movie film; second in this series was Sagun Ena Sohag Dular (2003),[7] which was loosely based on the 1982 Bollywood film Nadiya Ke Paar; Jewee Jurie (Life Partner) (2009)[8][9] was produced by SBT Movie Craft and released widely in the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, and others.
Santali cinema has not been able to create an identity as a film industry like most other cinemas in India. Every year about 8 to 10 films are made and released directly, on CDs only.
None of them are released in cinema halls, due to low budget and least support of state government in development of the cinema. Music albums are preferred over video films, as the budget is very low and production cost is easily recovered. The number of these ranges from 10 to 20.
Santali cinema has a good scope in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam and Odisha the majority of its viewers reside in these regions.
As there is no film development corporation in Jharkhand, the Santali film industry is in an unremarkable position, and due to this, films and music albums are made less in number and distributed inefficiently, due to cost and other reasons.
In Jharkhand, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur and their surroundings, don't have proper cinema halls and ticket prices are very low compared to multiplexes all over India. So releasing a film in cinema halls is not very profitable.
Bonodal (The Change) (2016) – directed and produced by Kiran Khatiwada;[18][39][40][21] Nepal's first historic Santali feature film[clarification needed]
^ ab"'Santhals set for film debut'". The Telegraph (Calcutta). December 29, 2003. Archived from the original on March 26, 2004. Retrieved 28 September 2013. ...The 30-something Marandi, who played the role of director, producer and cinematographer of the first full-fledged Santhali feature film Haire Aricheli (alas! our customs), could barely contain his excitement while speaking about his dream project at a press conference today. ...An ardent Amitabh Bachhan admirer and a die-hard Mahesh Bhatt fan, Marandi already has a band of loyal followers among Santhals. His first offering, Chando Likhan (the script of god) was a huge success in Santhal-dominated areas in eastern India.
^ ab"'Bigger Santhali film fest'". The Telegraph (Calcutta). March 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013. The AISFA special award will be given jointly to Bengali filmmaker Umesh Mardi and late actress Malho Mardi, who earned acclaim for her performance in Chando Likhon (first Santhali film made in 35mm). Malho, a resident of Baridih, died recently after sustaining burn injuries at her residence.
^ ab"'Santhali film stars feted '". The Telegraph (Calcutta). April 16, 2012. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Bengali film-maker Umesh Mardi and late actress Malho Mardi, who earned acclaim for her performance in Chando Likhon (first Santhali film made in 35mm), were jointly honoured with the AISFA special award.
^"'Soren's celluloid party '". The Telegraph (Calcutta). November 3, 2003. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2013. The premier of the Santhali film, "Saguna Ena Suhag Dulare (The victory of true love)" at Rajendra Auditorium today was star-studded event with JMM chief Sibu Soren among the audience.
^"'Santali film to be released soon'". The Hindu. Mar 3, 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2013. ...Much to the cheer and excitement of the large Santali tribal population of the State, Orissa will have its first full-length feature film in Santali language soon.
^"'Orissa celluloid salute to Santhali'". The Telegraph (Calcutta). March 9, 2009. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2013. ...Jewee Jurie, a love story written by Pratima Hota, is scheduled for release sometime in October.
^"'Creative leap for steel city actor'". The Telegraph (Calcutta). December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013. …Madhvendra who is interested in promoting young talents from Jamshedpur, organised career counselling programmes for aspirants from steel city willing to try their luck in cinema in 2003 and 2004. He has also financed two Santhali films, Sagun Ena Suhag Dulad and Hai Re Aree Chaili in 2004.
^"'Santhali film a huge hit'". yahoo.com. September 15, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2013. "Ranchi is not a Santhal belt. So yes, I had not expected such an overwhelming response to my film," said Dasharath Hansda, director of Sita Nala Re Sagun Supari (Santhali), which was screened at the small hall of Sujata cinema to a packed house in the morning.
^"'Santhali film a huge hit'". The Telegraph (Calcutta). September 15, 2012. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2013. "Ranchi is not a Santhal belt. So yes, I had not expected such an overwhelming response to my film," said Dasharath Hansda, director of Sita Nala Re Sagun Supari (Santhali), which was screened at the small hall of Sujata cinema to a packed house in the morning.
^"'Despite rain, rival film galas shine'". The Telegraph (Calcutta). May 6, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013. "I have been a part of this award ceremony after a gap of two years and now I have bagged an award which proves my calibre in acting. Since there are two award ceremonies simultaneously on tonight, I am also expecting a recognition at Jharkhand Cine Award," smiled Geetam Hansda, a comedian who won an award for Santhali film Poran Porayni at RASCA.
^"'Mumbai calls Santhali films'". July 30, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013. "We'll select films in August and screen them between October and December. We may also take few actors to interact with the audience," Hasdah added. Favourite picks are Bir Manani and Amar Tangi Nind Tangi. Stars such as Dasrath Hansda, Surendra Tuddu and Pintu Soren are favourites among tribals.