BHUBANESWAR: veteran actor and Odia film industry’s evergreen star Uttam Mohanty passed away in New Delhi on Thursday night. Mohanty, who dominated the silver screen for decades, breathed his last while undergoing treatment for pneumonia and liver cirrhosis at Medanta hospital in Gurugram. He was 66. Earlier this month, he was airlifted to Medanta hospital where he was on organ support in the intensive care unit.
Born in Baripada in 1958, Mohanty began his career in Odia film industry with Sadhu Meher directorial ‘Abhimaan’ which released in 1977. The next year, he was offered a role in MS Koti Reddy’s ‘Pati Patni’ which was based on a Telugu story.
The films in which he acted included ‘Nijhum Ratira Sathi’, ‘Chinha Achinha’, ‘Ramayana’, ‘Tapasya’, ‘Ram Balaram’, ‘Palatak’, ‘Abhilasha’, ‘Danda Balunga’, ‘Pooja Phula’, ‘Jaga Hatare Paga’, ‘Sahari Bagha’, ‘Mamata Mage Mula’, ‘Sata Kebe Luchi Rahena’, ‘Chaka Bhaunri’, ‘Jor Jahara Mulak Tahara’, ‘Tunda Baida’, ‘Suna Chadhei’, ‘Pua Mora Kala Thakura’, ‘Kanyadaan’, ‘Chaka Aakhi Sabu Dekhuchi’, ‘Rajanigandha’, among others.
After doing films like ‘Maa’, ‘Bidhira Bidhan’, Mohanty’s focus shifted towards character roles. Mohanty acted in nearly 150 Odia and 30 Bengali films besides a Hindi movie ‘Naya Zaher’. He also had a successful stint in the small screen.
The Odisha Film Producers Association had conferred upon him the OFA Film Award for his lifetime contribution to the regional film industry. He had received the Odisha Living Legend Award as well.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a host of dignitaries expressed grief over his demise. Majhi in his message said Mohanty was the shining star of Ollywood and for more than two decades, he was the undisputed hero of Odia cinema.
“His death is an irreparable loss to the film and entertainment industry,” he added. Pradhan said Mohanty’s contribution towards enriching the Odia film industry is unparalleled. “His flawless acting made him popular among the masses. Odisha has lost a jewel. He will continue to reign in the hearts of Odia people for a long time,” Pradhan wrote on X.
