Bhubaneswar: The Indian film industry has lost acclaimed sound engineer and recordist Sameer Kumar Patra, a highly respected technician whose meticulous work enriched the audio landscape of numerous Bollywood films and series over more than two decades.
Patra passed away in Mumbai on January 27, leaving behind a legacy of precision, technical expertise, and quiet dedication that profoundly influenced both mainstream blockbusters and independent projects.
Born on December 8, 1976, at Bhanjanagar in Odisha’s Ganjam district, Patra completed his early education locally and earned a Bachelor’s degree in science from Bhanjanagar College. His interest in cinema and technical skills drew him to Biju Pattanaik Film & Television Institute of Odisha (BPFTIO) in Cuttack, where he was part of the inaugural batch of the Sound Department from 1996 to 2000, earning a diploma in Sound and Television Engineering.
Shortly after graduating, he relocated to Mumbai and entered the Hindi film industry in 2000. Starting as an assistant, he advanced to senior roles including sound mixer, additional sound mixer, location sound recordist, and sound engineer. Over his career spanning until 2026, he contributed to more than 75 films, television series, and digital projects, as documented on IMDb.
His filmography includes several notable works, such as the inspirational sports drama Chak De! India (2007), Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, the comedy hit Fukrey, Veere Di Wedding, Gold, the thriller Drishyam 2, Mimi, Jug Jugg Jeeyo, the critically appreciated Filmistaan, and Sadak 2.
In the OTT space, he worked on popular series including Criminal Justice and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen.
He also collaborated with National Award-winning director Nila Madhab Panda on projects like Kalira Atita, demonstrating his skill in using sound to amplify social narratives.
His most recent contribution was to Dhurandhar (2026), starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, which achieved massive commercial success, grossing over Rs 1,300 crore worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time.
Patra, an Odia professional who built a strong reputation in Bollywood’s sound department, was known for his humility, soft-spoken nature, and willingness to mentor emerging technicians despite his involvement in high-profile productions. Colleagues and juniors have described him as kind-hearted, approachable, and deeply committed to his craft.
His passing has created a significant void in the BPFTIO alumni community, the Odia film fraternity, and the broader technical ecosystem of Indian cinema.
“Sameer Patra gone Too soon, too sudden. Beyond his great work in Sound, A warm soul with infectious energy loved by all. So much, humility and joy packed into one person. Hard to process this loss. Much love my friend, you’ll deeply missed. My sincere condolences Om Shanti,” filmmaker Nila Madhab posted on social media, mourning his demise.
