Bhubaneswar: The passing of veteran Odia actor Uttam Mohanty on February 27, 2025, at the age of 67, has prompted reflection not only on his illustrious five-decade film career but also on his lesser-known political journey that began over a decade ago.
Mohanty, widely recognized as one of the pillars of Odia cinema, surprised many of his fans when he formally joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on March 12, 2014, just weeks before the general and assembly elections that year. His entry into politics came at a time when Odisha's ruling party was strategically inducting popular cultural figures to strengthen its connection with voters.
At a well-attended ceremony at Naveen Niwas, the residence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Mohanty was welcomed into the party fold by the BJD supremo himself. The event marked a significant career pivot for the actor who had, until then, maintained a public persona largely divorced from political affiliations.
"I have always been an admirer of Biju Babu's vision and Naveen Patnaik's clean governance," Mohanty had stated during the joining ceremony. "After entertaining the people of Odisha for decades, I now wish to serve them through public service."
While his induction generated considerable media attention, political analysts at the time noted that Mohanty's entry into politics came relatively late in his life, at the age of 64, when most political careers are typically winding down rather than beginning.
The timing of his political debut coincided with a larger trend in Odisha politics where both the ruling BJD and opposition parties were actively recruiting celebrities from the entertainment industry. That same year, several other Odia film personalities, including actress Aparajita Mohanty (Uttam's wife) who joined the Congress, and actor Siddhant Mahapatra who aligned with the BJD, made similar moves into the political arena.
Unlike some film stars who secured tickets to contest elections immediately after joining political parties, Mohanty was not fielded as a candidate in the 2014 elections. Instead, the party utilized his star power for campaigning, particularly in coastal Odisha where his popularity remained strong decades after his prime.
BJD leader and former minister Pratap Jena, who had worked closely with Mohanty during campaign periods, recalled, "Uttam Babu brought a certain dignity to political campaigning. He never engaged in personal attacks against opponents and always focused on development issues. His approach resonated with voters who had grown tired of aggressive political rhetoric."
In the years following his political debut, Mohanty maintained a relatively low profile within party circles. His public appearances at political functions gradually became less frequent, though he never formally distanced himself from the party. Political observers noted that unlike some other celebrity politicians who either fully immersed themselves in politics or quickly returned to their entertainment careers, Mohanty occupied a middle ground—maintaining his political association while gradually reducing his active participation.
By 2019, when Odisha again went to polls, Mohanty's involvement in campaign activities had noticeably diminished. Health concerns, according to sources close to the actor, had begun to limit his public engagements. Nevertheless, he made select appearances at key BJD rallies, particularly in Cuttack district, his native region.
Senior journalist Sandeep Sahu, who has long covered the intersection of entertainment and politics in Odisha, observed, "Mohanty's political journey was characterized more by his symbolic value than by any significant policy contributions. For the BJD, his clean image and wide appeal across generations were valuable assets, even if he never emerged as a core political strategist within the party."
Throughout his association with BJD, Mohanty advocated for greater government support to the Odia film industry, which had been struggling against the dominance of Bollywood and other regional cinemas. In one of his more notable political interventions, he participated in a delegation of film personalities that met with the Chief Minister in 2016 to discuss tax incentives for Odia cinema and the development of modern film infrastructure in the state.
Subhasis Panda, a film historian documenting the evolution of Odia cinema, noted, "Even in politics, Mohanty remained an ambassador for Odia film culture. He understood the structural challenges facing regional cinema and tried to leverage his political connections to address them, though with limited success."
As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from both the film fraternity and political circles. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was among the first to express condolences, describing Mohanty as "not just an iconic actor but also a sensitive individual who genuinely cared about Odisha's development."
BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb, reflecting on Mohanty's dual legacy, remarked, "While his contributions to Odia cinema will always remain his primary legacy, his willingness to step into public service despite his advanced age demonstrated his enduring commitment to the state. The party benefited from his clean image and widespread respect."
As Odisha mourns the loss of one of its most recognized cultural figures, Mohanty's brief political chapter represents an interesting footnote in his long and accomplished life—a testament to the enduring relationship between entertainment and politics in Indian democracy, where cinema often serves as a launching pad for public service.
Mohanty is survived by his wife, actress Aparajita Mohanty, and son Babushan Mohanty, both of whom have had their own distinct journeys in cinema and public life.
