Actor Minaketan Das loses battle with cancer

Bhubaneswar: Eminent Odia actor Minaketan Das, who was battling cancer, passed away at his Rasulgarh residence here late on Friday. He was 56.
The actor breathed his last at 2:35 am. He was suffering from pancreatic cancer and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai. He was later brought to Bhubaneswar.
For better treatment of the actor, his family members had sought financial help from the state government and people from different walks of life. Extending a helping hand, the state culture department had provided Rs 1 lakh to his wife.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and eminent personalities from Odia film industry mourned his death. Many of his co-actors and film lovers reached his residence to pay their last tribute. “His death is a great loss for Odia cinema industry,” said veteran actor-director Prasanta Nanda.
Starting his film journey with ‘Ganga Siuli’, Das proved his mettle mostly in negative roles. He also tried his hand at comic and character roles and was much appreciated.
The actor’s last movie was ‘Hela Mate Prema Jwara’.
An alumnus of Odisha Sangeet Mahvidyalay, Das had also acted in Jatras and television serials. His performance in jatra, ‘Kaudi Khela’, will be remembered for a long time to come.
He is survived by his wife and a daughter.