Ban Row: Actor Manoj Mishra Sets Conditions Amid Arindam Roy’s Appeal To Bury Hatchet

Cuttack: With controversy surrounding the alleged two-year ban on actor Manoj Mishra by the producers’ association taking political colour, actor-cum-producer Arindam Roy has appealed to the ‘Mindgame’ actor to bury the hatchet in the larger interest of the Odia film Industry.

“I have been calling and texting but have not been able to get in touch with you yet. A minor squabble between two stars has divided the state. The issue is also being politicised, which is not good. I personally request you to forget all that has happened. We both have suffered financial losses because of the conflict. Let bygones and be bygones. Let’s sit down and sort out the differences. Let’s work together again and get back to the good old days,” he said.

He further said when there is no letter mentioning his ban, the controversy is an non-issue. “The situation has come to such a pass that people are cursing the Odia film industry. It is our responsibility to save our industry and make good films,” he said, adding that the entire incident has pained him.

Arindam added that he is ready to reach out to him to resolve the issue.

In his response, Manoj admitted to having not taken his calls. “I fail to understand what exactly you want to discuss with me. I have never opposed your film ‘Ram’ and have asked none to boycott it. Without any proof, Tutu Nayak and company said they would ban me because of which ‘Mindgame’ was pulled out of several theatres, causing losses to my producer, while it is going house full in Bargarh in the fourth week,” he said in a video message.

The actor said that Tutu Nayak should first reveal the reason behind his ban to people of Odisha and then ensure that ‘Mindgame’ is back in theatres across the state since “he is said to have a hold over the distribution system”.

Manoj ended his video asserting that he has never opposed Arindam’s film.

It was alleged that Manoj had a personal tiff with actor Jitu Mangaraj, who also featured in the film ‘Ram’, and  engineered the demonstration in cinema halls in Sambalpur, called for its ban. “We discussed the issue at a meeting here and got enough evidence that Manoj Mishra is mainly responsible for the protest against the film ‘Ram’ in Sambalpur. Hence, all producers decided to not sign Manoj Mishra in their future projects for two years,” said Utkal Cine Chambers of Commerce (UCCC) president Sanjay Nayak.

Following the ban, senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra warned of division of Odisha due to intolerant attitude of the actors of coastal region. BJP MLA Nauri Nayak also condemned it. “The ban on Manoj reflects the real colour of the coastal people. They are jealous of the success of any person from western Odisha. The actors from coastal Odisha are unable to accept the success of Manoj’s film ‘Mindgame’,” he said.

He demanded immediate withdrawal of the 2-year ban imposed by UCCC.