Bhubaneswar: Uttam Mohanty, a veteran actor and one of the most loved icons of the Odia film industry, passed away on Thursday night while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in New Delhi. He was 66.
He is survived by his actor-wife Aparajita and actor-son Babushaan.
His demise has brought immense sorrow to his fans and the entire Odia film industry at large.
He was initially admitted at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, but his condition worsened, resulting in him being shifted to another hospital, sources close to his family said. As his health deteriorated, they placed him on a ventilator and airlifted him to Delhi earlier this month for improved medical care. After a few days of treatment, he passed away at the hospital reportedly due to liver cirrhosis.
Born on December 23, 1958, in Baripada, Uttam entertained audiences for the last four decades. He entered the cinematic world with the Odia film Abhimaan in 1977 and soon became a household name with his movies ‘Shankha Mahuri,’ ‘Chinha-Achina,’ ‘Nijhum Ratira Saathi,’ and ‘Danda Balunga,’ making him one of the most prominent actors of the Odia film industry.
Apart from 135 Odia films, he also appeared in 30 Bengali films and a Hindi film, Naya Zaher. He was also a well-known personality on television who appeared in hit Odia serials such as ‘Katha Kahuthile Saribani,’ ‘Panatkani,’ and ‘Sara Akash’.
A Life Dedicated to Cinema
In 1987, Uttam married Odia actor Aparajita Mohanty, who is also a household name in Odisha because of illustrious acting career. Their son Babushaan is also a well-known actor.
In 1999, Uttam Mohanty received the highly-appreciated Jayadev Award for his immense contributions to Odia cinema. Over the years, he bagged a number of State Film Awards for Best Actor and Supporting Actor.
An Irreplaceable Loss
The news of his demise sparked a torrent of grief. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Culture Minister Suraj Suryabansi expressed their condolences, describing him as a legend who had made an indelible mark on the cultural map of Odisha.
A flood of tributes followed and people from across different fields remembered the actor’s warmth, talent, and contributions to Odia cinema.
