Manoj Mishra Questions Sabyasachi Mohapatra Over Film Title, Remuneration To Actors In Odisha

Cuttack: Hours after actor Manoj Mishra held a press briefing to counter Odisha Film Directors’ accusations, award-winning Odia director Sabyasachi Mohapatra on Wednesday called him out as ‘attention seeker’.

“He is continuing to criticise everyone. Every director makes a sincere effort to do a good film, but its box office result is not in their hands. So, I am against this smear campaign again the director community as a whole,” he told reporters.

Mohapatra said that he has received five national and 14 international awards and therefore, does not need a certificate from the actor on his film-making ability. “The comments, targeting individuals, that he has been posting on social media for past one year are deplorable. There should be some decency and the criticism should be creative,” he opined.

On Manoj’s remarks that the title of his film, Randi Pua Ananta, is derogatory and insult to women, he said that it is a classic name given by legendary writer Fakir Mohan Senapati and evokes compassion. “It was then used for widows whom people pitied. Which is why I decided against changing the name. It is also in the crash course. If we go with his argument, then the broadcast of telly film which I had made with the same name for Doordarshan should also be stopped despite the government’s approval for it,” he said, while also questioning his expertise in making such comments.

He added there is a need for a positive atmosphere in the industry, when efforts are being made to make original films.

Earlier in the day, the Mindgame actor had questioned whether people are okay about a widow being called a ‘randi’. “Is it acceptable for women of this generation? If Fakir Mohan Senapati was alive now, I don’t think he would have gone with this title for his book. Now, addressing a physically challenged as anything other than Divyang is considered derogatory. The world has changed,” he said.

Manoj also spoke about Sabyasachi Mohaptra’s directorial debut Bhukha, which he had watched as a child. “I had then thought that it was the best movie made during that time. Later when I studied in FTII, I realised that films made during that period were 100 times better than Bhukha. Here, I see no efforts to remain updated. They have accused me of defaming the Odia film industry by repeatedly giving statements against the directors and actors. The Odia film industry saw Rs 6 crore business, which could be the highest in the last 10 years. And I am optimistic that it would soar to Rs 10 crore soon if I continue to do so and it will benefit those 25,000 people for whom they are pleading for,” he said.

He also asked if the director can spell out the remuneration of the technicians and actors, which whom he worked in his last 10 films. “If actors gets Rs 30,000 for a film, which wins a national award, there is nothing to feel proud about. These actors are forced to take loans to run their family,” he claimed.

The actor said that he has always supported good cinemas like Daman, Pratikshya, Karma, Niyati and other good films. “I was the one to first demand state subsidy for Daman,” he said.

Manoj further stated that cinema was a medium to promote Odia Asmita on international platforms. “The producer of ‘Good Boy’ suffered a brain stroke when the film did not do well. These directors are incompetent. There is only melodrama in their movies. The audience has not be able connect with these movies. These directors are cheating producers and spending Rs 100 instead of Rs 5 (which should be), bringing them loss,” he said, adding that his fight is for the future generation.

The actor further stated that it was they who had termed his film, Mindgame, as a flop even before it was released in Hindi and Telugu. “I spoke about Durga only after it was pulled down from theatres. They speak against me but still term me as a good actor, but I won’t shy away from calling them bad directors. I have made an effort to remain updated and learn the nuances of filmmaking,” he said.

On Tuesday, Odia Film and Television Directors’ Association had lodged a complaint against the actor at the Cyber Crime police station in Cuttack, alleging that his statement on directors in Odisha are not only derogatory but also defamatory.

It may be noted here that Manoj was banned for two years by some film producers for allegedly orchestrating protests against the film ‘Ram’ last year. Sanlisha Patel, producer of Odia film ‘Pratha’, also filed an FIR against him in Jharsuguda over screening of the movie.