Although he is still a newbie in the film industry, comedian Amar Mohapatra has 25 films and numerous memorable performances in tele serials to his credit. And his achievement seems all the more commendable when viewed against the fact that he started off as a spot boy on the sets
Himanshu Guru
When it comes to comedians in Oriya films we recall names like Jayiram Samal, Arabinda, and Radha Panda of yesteryears. Among the current crop Papu Pom Pom is a popular name. However, there are youngsters who have won the hearts of the audience with their comic talent. Orissa Post meets comedian Amar Mohapatra who has so far appeared in more than 25 Oriya films.
Born to Kanaklata and Prahllad Mohapatra of Badasankha in Puri, Amar showed his acting aptitude at a tender age. The youngster first appeared in a theatre production at Annapurna Theatre in Puri and received training in the field from Ramachandra Pratihari. He initiated his professional career in the film industry in 2001. Hitesh Naik directed ‘Rakhiba Shiva ta Mariba Kie’ was his debut venture. Amar is an alumnus of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar from where he passed out in 2003.
“Please garei dia” is the punchline of Amar’s upcoming film ‘Godfather’. In the film he plays the role of a tea shop owner who sells his stuff by entertaining his customers with witty dialogues like “Mardangini chaha dokana, salei chaha das (10) tanka, malei chaha paanch (5) tanka…” and so on about the varieties of tea available.
Amar has a number of films to his credit that include Loafer, Sanju sanjana, One four three, Mu tate love karuchi, Mate ta love hela re, Dhire dhire prema hela, Asiba kebe sajiba rani, Subha bibaha, Chanda naa tume tara, Maya, Bindas Romeo, Raghupati raghav, Super michhua, Lekhu lekhu lekhi deli and Love u hamesha. His upcoming films are Apna hath Jagannath, Godfather and Love hela sahe sahe re.
Although Amar’s target was to become an actor his was a far from smooth ride. The humble guy admitted that he worked as a spot boy in albums in his early days in the industry. He became a group dancer in albums shortly after. ‘Kalia pakhare nahi lo jati ajati’ was one of the albums that featured him as a group dancer. Subsequently, he got a chance in Rajani Samantray directed TV serial ‘Kahi janile katha sundara’ where he played the role of a gay lover. He has also acted in tele serials like ‘Tulashi’, ‘Rajakanya’, ‘To aganara tulasi’ and comedy serials like ‘Faltu katha’, ‘Rajniti’ and ‘Bidhatara khela’.
Amar got a chance to share screen with Bollywood drama queen Rakhi Sawant in the dance sequence ‘Shampo shampoo basuchi’ in the upcoming film ‘Godfather’. Narrating his shooting experience with Rakhi, Amar said, “She was very cooperative and I really enjoyed shooting with her. I was missing some steps, but she adjusted them and everything was fine. Actually, I was a bit nervous dancing alongside Rakhi Sawant. But she encouraged me and I did well. I and co-actor Gudu mota joined her at dinner after shooting.”
The recipient of the best actor award for his role in the DD1 serial ‘Kahi Janile Katha Sundara’, Amar considers Sambhunath Khuntia as his mentor. He has also directed few CD films like Adbhuta Ladu, Chhota Don, Akha dhoutha guna gautha and Manisha jivana charidinia.
About his love life the young revealed after blushing a lot: “I am in love with a girl for the last 10 years and want to marry her. She is a film editor. However, I don’t want to reveal her name.”