Uttam Mohanty, a legendary actor and all-time superstar of the Odia film industry, passed away at the age of 66. He breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Thursday night.
Bhubaneswar: Uttam Mohanty, a legendary actor and all-time superstar of the Odia film industry, passed away at the age of 66. He breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Thursday night. He had been suffering from serious illnesses such as pneumonia and liver cirrhosis for some time. He was flown to Delhi for treatment earlier this month and was admitted to the ICU.
Journey to Superstardom
Born in Baripada, Odisha in 1958, Uttam Mohanty began his acting career in 1977 with the film ‘Abhiman,’ directed by Sadhu Meher. His exceptional performance in the 1978 film ‘Pati-Patni’ secured his place in the hearts of the audience. His popularity peaked in the 1980s, achieving remarkable success in diverse roles – romantic hero, villain, and character actor. His films consistently topped the box office.
His pairing with his wife, actress Aparajita Mohanty, is considered one of the most successful pairings in the Odia film industry. They starred together in numerous superhit films such as ‘Astaraga,’ ‘Maa,’ and ‘Bidhir Bidhan.’ His filmography also includes hit films like ‘Nijhum Ratir Sathi,’ ‘Chihna Achihna,’ ‘Rayaman,’ ‘Abhilasha,’ ‘Danda Bandhunga,’ ‘Puja Phula,’ and ‘Rajanigandha.’
Over 150 Film Appearances
Throughout his career, Uttam Mohanty acted in approximately 150 Odia and 30 Bengali films. He also appeared in the Hindi film ‘Naya Johar.’ He was also active on the small screen, entertaining audiences through television. Uttam Mohanty received numerous awards for his exceptional acting. In 1999, the Odisha government honored him with the ‘Jayadev Award.’
He also won several state film awards for Best Actor for films like ‘Phul Chandana,’ ‘Suna Charai,’ ‘Jhia Ti Sita Pari,’ and ‘Danda Bandhunga.’ The Odisha Film Producers Association honored him with the ‘OFA Film Award’ for his lifetime contribution.
Tributes from the Film Industry and Politicians
Following his death, Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, expressed deep grief, stating, "Uttam Mohanty took Odia cinema to new heights. He was the industry's superstar for a long time, and his acting is unparalleled." Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed sorrow, saying, "Uttam Mohanty was a bright star of Odia cinema. His contribution will be immortalized, and he will always live in the hearts of the people."
Uttam Mohanty's death has cast a shadow of sorrow over the Odia film industry. He will always be remembered for his memorable films and exceptional acting. The industry has not only lost a great actor but also an artist who brought national recognition to Odia cinema.
