A brand new show titled ‘Vidrohi’, narrating the life of popular Odia freedom fighter Buxi Jagabandhu is set to premiere on Star Plus and stream on Disney+ Hotstar. The series will showcase the legend of Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra Bhramarbar Ray, leader of the historic Paika Revolt of 1817.
Virodhi’s trailer was launched yesterday, as it showed glimpses of Buxi Jagabandhu, played by Sharad Malhotra, being stopped by the British force from entering the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. In reciprocation, Buxi Jagabandhu’s associates fought back with the British force by attacking them with bows and arrows.
The show will revolve around two princesses and one rebel warrior and how they come together to battle against the Britishers. The recent promo introduces Sharad Malhotra as Baxi Jagabandhu, the leader of the historic Paika Revolt of 1817 of Khurda. He was the landlord of Rodhanga and was nominated as the Senapati by the king of Khurda. The Paikas of Khurda headed by Buxi raised their voice against oppressive taxation and illegal encroachment of the tax-free lands and restrictions on salt enforced by the British.
The great Paika revolt lasted for over a decade. It’s a story of war cry, rebellion, right to the motherland and patriotism that the Paika warriors had shown.
Buxi Jagabandhu was an exceptional fighter skilled in cavalry, axe-fighting and guerilla-warfare. Finally, the British Government captured and imprisoned the freedom fighter in Cuttack, where he took his last breath on 24th January 1829.
In 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind had laid the foundation stone for Paika Rebellion Memorial at Barunei Hill in Khurda.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier urged the union government to denote the Paika Rebellion as the first war of Independence. Notably, the state government has provided 10 acres of land for the establishment of a ‘Paika Bidroha’ memorial at Barunei foothills.