Choudhury Satyabrata Das aka Likun Choudhury, the lead actor of mega soap Sindura Bindu, is creating waves on the small screen. The handsome hunk, who plays the role of Rangila in the serial, is the new heartthrob of Odia TV audiences. Tall and well-built with an uber cool personality, he can set every girl’s heart aflutter. The actor will soon be seen in the movie Ishq Hangover. A recipient of the state award for best actor, Likun talked to Orissa POST about his ambitions.
Hailing from Chandanpur, Likun has loved acting from his childhood. “I used to participate in fancy dress competitions and plays to showcase my acting prowess. Seeing my growing interest in acting, my father encouraged me to join the Sangeeta Mahavidyalaya after completion of my 10th board examination to follow my dream of becoming an actor. I did my Plus II, Plus III and post graduation in Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and received the national junior fellowship and national scholarship award from the government of India. Besides, I won the national junior research fellowship award before debuting on television.”
Born to the late Prafulla Chandra Das and Sarojini Das, Likun became a popular face in the theatre world owing to his hard work and talent. He has done more than 5,000 plays so far. Besides, he is good at stage design for plays.
Talking about how he forayed into acting, Likun said, “Though I made a mark in the theatre world without difficulties, it was not easy for me to get a break in the television industry. I have been in the acting field for 20 years, but I came into the limelight after 15 years of struggle. During my period of struggle, I got rejected many a time. Producers and directors rejected me saying ‘you have a handsome figure, but your voice is not a hero like voice.’ I used to feel depressed, but I am lucky to have encouraging parents and a friend like Sukant Kumar Mohanty. They never allowed me to feel low. Finally, I got a chance to prove my acting prowess in the tele soap ‘Indrajala’ aired on Tarang in 2009. I later appeared in ‘Kichhi Luha Pi Jae Otha’ and ‘Sabu Thik Thak’ aired on Tarang and ETV. However, my role in Sindura Bindu aired on Zee Sarthak made me a household name. And I won the state award as best actor. That’s not all. I also received the award for best leading actor in male category given by Zee Sarthak.”
He continued, “When I was about to make my debut on TV, I came to know that Bollywood heartthrob Akshay Kumar would attend an Odia cine awards show. Being a diehard fan of AK, I went to the venue to see him. As I did not have a pass, I was refused entry despite my repeated pleas. I told the concerned authorities sternly that a day would come when they would invite me to their show. And that happened. When I was about to receive the state award as best actor, I reminded them of that incident and shared the story with the audience too without revealing the names of the concerned people.”
Likun added, “Acting is my life. Once I delivered a 15-page dialogue at one go and in one take. I would say that I breathe acting, eat acting and drink acting.”
Apart from being a good actor, Likun is a good human being. He makes sure to spend 10 per cent of his monthly income for the wellbeing of differently-abled kids. “I visit special kids, teach them and entertain them. I love to be with them. Besides, I do visit a government school twice a week to give lessons in acting to school kids,” said Likun, who is busy making short films ‘Prince, the Real Hero’ and ‘Inquilab’.
Attributing his success to his parents, his wife Swagatika Sahani, who is a popular Odissi dancer, and his best friend, Likun said, “I have done my post graduate degree in direction. Initially, I was into directing short films. My wife, best friend and father encouraged me to try my hand at acting. Whatever I am today, it is because of them. And I rose to fame after my son Rihan was born. If everything goes smoothly, I would like to prove my mettle at the national level too.”
Rashmi Rekha Das, OP
