Rashmi Rekha Das
Elli Padhi who has always awed us with brilliant performances is a diva with a perfect blend of beauty and brains. Elli has a strong base in academics and, moreover, has done a five-year veterinary course from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), but has not pursued a career in the field. Why? Because acting was in her veins and she was destined to attain stardom. When she was in standard V she was offered the opportunity to host shows like SIT and Geetamanjari telecast in Doordarshan.
The tall, slim and gorgeous actress is now very active in the Southern movie circuit. She recently debuted in Tollywood with the release of her first movie Pramadam Chavu 100 Percent. This movie hit the theatres last month making Elli popular overnight in the South due to her outstanding acting. Another Telugu movie she has bagged shooting of which is slated to begin next month.
Her achievements don’t end here. She has also signed a Tamil movie. When asked about the offer, she said, “Yes, it’s true that I will do a Tamil movie soon. But it’s not the right time to divulge everything about the movie. I can say that it’s a love story and the script is really interesting because of which I said yes.”
Elli’s first foray into the Oriya film industry was with her role in Ei Milana Yuga Yuga Ra (2008). Besides, Dhumavha Swapna and Raasta are two other movies in which she has produced good performances; the latter premiered for the first time in Australia. By the time her first movie released, she had already become quite a familiar face as an anchor and television artiste in Orissa.
When she was in Class VIII she anchored Mitatie Geetatie aired on ETV Oriya. Later, she essayed the role of a child in the daily mega soap ‘Tulasi’, one of the most popular serials aired on ETV Oriya in 2005. Besides, Elli’s role in tele soaps like ‘Sindoor’, ‘Appa’ and ‘Abujha E Mana’ earned her praise. Her role in ‘Abujha E Mana’, a serial aired on Tarang, fetched the state award. She is also popular as an album artiste.
What many people don’t know about this powerhouse of talent is that she is a tabla player. That’s not all. She can dance and has bagged a dance award at the national level in 2007. Yes, she is a good athlete too.
Born to Kumudini Padhi, a homemaker and Harekrushna Padhi, a police official, this Bhadrak lass is a born actor. She never takes a break. An ardent fan of Madhuri Dixit, Kajol and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, she has the dream of attaining stardom like them.
On being asked what was the difference between the Telugu and Oriya film industries she said, “I have worked in both the industries. What I have observed is that every person starting from spot boys to technicians and film directors are serious, passionate and professional about their work in Tollywood. But it’s not the case in the Oriya film industry. Barring a few, all Oriya artistes miss the spirit. Anyway, what I am today I owe to Oriya filmdom. So I am always thankful to the Oriya film industry for giving me a platform to showcase my skills.”
“It is really tough to survive in the glamour world when you do not have any godfather. I am still struggling to prove my talent in the Oriya industry despite being more than 13 years in the circuit. One needs a godfather to make it big in silver screen,” said the gorgeous heroine.
Recounting a memorable incident she said, “I had great fan following in our locality during school days. So it was obvious that I used to get many proposals, as boys were eager to make friendship with me and spend time with me. To get rid of them my elder sister suggested I give our land phone number when anyone approached me begging love. So I did. When they rang me it was my sister who picked up the calls and gave them a good tuition following which the number of such calls came down.”
When asked whether bunking college gave her a kind of sinful fun she said, “I had to bunk classes due to busy shooting schedules. But my teachers and friends were very helpful. They used to give me notes and provide all help they could just because I was a good student.”
