Bhubaneswar: Odia film industry has few icons. Framed among the top three legends of Odia cinema, Uttam Mohanty, the legendary star, bids goodbye forever to the live screen called – the ether world.
The star actor breathed his last at the age of 66. A soft looking personality and gentleman to the core, Uttam Mohanty dashed on to Odia silver screen when the film industry has been virtually ruled by his senior Sri Ram Panda – who with his Rajesk Khanna-ish (see the image below) suave looks and composure acting was ruling the Ollywood box office.
ODIA CINEMA DISCOVERED ‘UTTAM’ TALENT
YEAR 1977: Odia cinema discovered an actor who has the spontaneity in his eyes with chocolate boy looks. Director Sadhu Meher introduced to the Odia silver screen Uttam Mohanty in his directorial debut – Abhimaan.
The film is about a professional singer with scintillating career, who has no idea to tie the nuptial knot until he has a glance at a girl named Uma. With its foot-tapping and ear soothing songs, and the debut actor sinking well into the skin of the character, the film went on to become a box office hit.
With a debut hit – at box-office and critical acclaims – Uttam Mohanty radiated the signs of a star in making. He was wading through the industry when Sri Ram Panda had been delivering big hits like Sindura Bindu, Subarna Sita et al.
The 19-year old actor has showed his versatile acting bone with historical biopics like Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja and mythological genre films like Ramayan.
However, the actor has captivated the Odia cinegoers with his loverboy image in films like Nijhum Rati ro saathi in 1979. Audience lapped up this young actor for his lover boy image. He went on to hold his sway in the film like Samaya Bada Balwaan alongside Sri Ram Panda.
UTTAM GETS THE STARDOM
With the heralding of the 80s, Uttam Mohanty has gained a strong foothold in the Odia film industry. The star went on to give big solo hits like Danda Balunga, Dekh Khabar Rakh Najar, Abhilasha, Phoola Chandan, Jai Phula et al.
The string of big hits had crowned him the superstar of Odia cinema in 1980s. He ruled the Odia cinema till the advent of another newbie star Siddhant Mohapatra, actor, former BJD MP and now BJP MLA from Digapahandi.
UTTAM MOHANTY’S CONTRIBUTION TO ODIA CINEMA
Uttam Mohanty became the first Odia actor to show some dancing skills on screen. Prior to Uttam, Odia heroes keep singing roaming around the trees. But Uttam venturing into the stage of Odia cinema brought with him the club-song-dance sequences on screen.
Cinegoers hail him as Odia cinema’s Jeetendra for his jumping jack show in Odia films.
He has been the only star in Odia film industry who did the most biopic and mythological shows. Be it Bhakta Salbega or Ramayana, the actor has impeccably sunk into the skin of the character, giving the cinephiles the feeling of the real.
UTTAM NOT A TRAINED ACTOR
Acting seems Uttam Mohanty’s natural instinct.
He is not a trained actor like late Bijay Mohanty. A commerce graduate, cinema acting has been his first love. In his school days in Mayurbhanj, the young Uttam indulged big in school dramas. He even has developed a fascination for joining the films.
But his elder brother is strictly against his joining of films. A commerce graduate, he went to Ludhiana for pursuing higher studies. He joined a reputed CA institute to pursue the CA course there. But fate has other things in mind.
THE FATE PLAY
YEAR 1975: Uttam at Ludhiana. His friend sent a SOS that informed him of about a film shooting taking place at his home town Mayurbhanj.
Young Uttam returned to his home town during holidays. His friend suggested him to meet Sadhu Meher, director of the film.
Uttam went to meet him.
Recalling in an interview, the actor said, “When I went to meet Sadhu Meher for the first time. I didn’t like the man for his heavy voice, assuming him to be a very strict person.”
The actor further recalled that he failed in his first screen test.
“I was given a mythological dialogue, which I couldn’t do. There were many contenders sitting. But Sadhu Meher has the first impression on me, especially my looks and raw talent. I was selected for the lead role in the film Abhimaan,” the actor flashed back.
The actor was talking about his debut film Abhimaan – the film that introduces Uttam Mohanty’s raw talent, mannerisms and spontaneous acting to Odia silver screen.
Vindicating Sadhu Meher’s discovery the actor has defined an era. He became a phenomenon in Odia Cinema. Uttam Mohanty, Sri Ram Panda and Prashanta Nanada has been hailed as the ‘Trimurti’ of Odia cinema.
This exalted status shows how the actor had left a lasting legacy in the world of Odia cinema. Uttam Mohanty will remain an inspiration for Odia film and upcoming actors.
God bless peace and salvation to his soul! RIP Uttam
