Rashmi Rekha Das
Nineteen-year-old Sanjukta Mohapatra is determined to demolish stereotypes to establish herself as a versatile actress
The Oriya film industry has a new entrant who is none other than the talented and vivacious Sanjukta Mohapatra. Her debut film ‘Akhi Kholile Tu Hi Tu’ casts some of the industry’s biggest names such as Bijay Mohanty, Mihir Das and Aparajita Mohanty in the leading roles. Going by the flood of offers she is currently receiving, it looks like the newbie is here to stay. An excited Sanjukta chats with Orissa POST about her celluloid journey and career dreams.
She always harboured dreams of becoming an actress, says Sanjukta. “Every year, there are thousands of hopefuls who try to make it big in filmdom, and I am one of them. The acting bug bit me in childhood. I was fascinated with films. I loved Aparajita madam’s movies and always wanted to be a part of them. Over the years, I realised I want to become an actor. I am pursing acting wholeheartedly and I hope I will be able to make a mark one day.”
Sanjukta adds: “I started off my career as a child actor. When I was in Class VI, I anchored a show ‘Pada Re Pada Chhanda’ aired on Doordarshan. Later, I appeared in the daily soap ‘Suna Sakala’ on Doordarshan. I played the role of the young protagonist in the mega soap which earned me kudos.
I worked in ‘Horror Zone’ aired on Tarang when I was a Class X student. I showcased my acting skills in the tele movie ‘Anwesana’ and ad movie ‘Super Hero Pocket Zero’ a few years later. Besides, I have acted in five plays and six albums. My role in the play ‘Dhala Bilua’ was widely appreciated.”
On her upcoming projects Sanjukta says: “I am still new to acting and I want to move slowly and steadily. This, I believe, will do a lot of good to my acting career. Presently, I am busy working in a movie and a daily soap, and would definitely love to do some good movies in the days to come. However, I can’t divulge more about the yet untitled film.”
The actress does want to remain confined within Oriya filmdom. She wants to play different roles and explore her acting skills. She wants to work in Kannada movies and television as well as in Tollywood. The young actress reflects the determination to go beyond fixed norms in establishing herself as a versatile actress.
Hailing from Bhadrak, Sanjukta has impressed veteran actor Aparajita. Asked about the newbie, Aparajita has reportedly said:?“She is quite talented and focused”.
“Such words coming from a veteran actor like her for a beginner like me are indeed motivational,” says the young actress.
The 19-year-old, an alumnus of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya currently pursuing Plus III first-year from UN College in Balasore, narrates an anecdote during her initial days in the Oriya film industry: “I was on my way home from Bhubaneswar on my brother’s motorbike July 2, 2014, when we met with an accident. My brother sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Aswini Hospital where he breathed his last on Rakhi Purnima day. It was a great loss for me. He was my inspiration. He had come to take me home from the audition on the day the mishap took place. He always wanted to see me as a heroine in Oriya movies. Had my brother been alive today, he would have cherished my success. He would have been overjoyed to see me bagging the female protagonist’s role in a Saroj Mohapatra film. I made his dream come true but, unfortunately, he is no more,” says Sanjukta on the verge of tears.
Born to businessman Rabindra and Manorama Mohapatra, the actress, whose dream it is to portray the character of Madhuri Dixit in ‘Beta’ says: “Madhuri’s character has so many shades; it is a dream role for any actress.”
In a nutshell
Favourite food: Abhada
Favourite hangout zone: Puri
Favourite actor: Aparajita Mohanty
Favourite movie: ‘Rakhi Bandhili Mo Rakhiba Mana’
Inspiration: Brother and Mama
If not an actress what would she have become: Police officer
