Ring out the old, ring in the new

HIMANSHU GURU, OP

We are leaving 2017 behind and getting ready to receive a new year. It’s time to turn the pages of your calendars and diaries. It’s time to make new resolutions. And time to look back at the year that was…Sunday POST spoke to a few celebrities about the year that went by and their hopes and expectations for the year ahead. Excerpts:

Kalpasa Ankita Shaw, social activist

The gorgeous-looking Kalpasa is a soft-hearted person. The lady from Balasore works for the betterment of underprivileged children. Winner of many beauty pageants such as Miss Balasore (2012), Miss Perfect (2012) and Miss Photogenic India (2013), her photo was featured at the Australian Art Gallery. Kalpasa says she is satisfied with her achievements in 2017. “I am looking forward to next year to be even more blessed,” she says.“I wish all my loved ones a very happy New Year. Strangely, though I am busy, nothing makes me feel fatigued. I have passed days and nights without sleep but I don’t feel tired and my mind remains positive. I would like to continue as a positive person and want to spread positive vibrations since God has given me plenty of reasons to smile and I feel it’s time to spread the smiles.” About her New Year resolutions, Kalpasa says, “Life is a drama and we are all characters in it. I want to play my roles better in 2018.”

Arabinda Muduli, singer

Singer Arabinda Muduli doesn’t need any introduction. He is popular in every Oriya household for his devotional numbers. His style of singing is unique and budding artistes love to emulate him. Looking back at 2017, the singer says: “For me 2017 was lucky as Lord Jagannath bestowed on me popularity and prosperity. I performed at a number of concerts. I visited other countries for shows. It was the most successful year of my life professionally. I expect the same good phase to continue for some more years. I wish God blesses me with more success. I want to be part of more shows and would love to be in the hearts of my listeners always.”

Aahana, actress

Aahana is the heroine of Oriya film Bhairav. The year 2017 was very lucky for her, she says, since she made it to the silver screen this year. She says, “I was lucky that I was cast as the leading lady in the Oriya film Bhairav this year. Besides, I got a chance to work with veteran actors of the industry such as Samaresh, Papu Pom Pom and Pintu Nanda and learned a lot from them during the shoot. I want to be comfortable acting in all genres. Bhairav is the beginning and I know I have miles to go. At present, I am in talks to do three films in 2018. I am also busy with the post production of my next film Blackmail. I am thankful to the audience who accepted my performance in my debut movie and hope they will continue to appreciate my acting in the coming year as well.”

Banaja Devi, poet

Renowned poet and short story writer Banaja Devi who received the prestigious Sarala Puraskar in 2017, says, “It was a great year for me since it gave me a valuable recognition for my works, the Sarala Puraskar. My new novel ‘Jeevan Jemiti’ was published this year. I hope the New Year showers more rewards for my efforts.”

Riyana Sukla, actress

Riyana Sukla appeared in the Bollywood film Life Ki Aisi Ki Taisi in 2017, which made her very happy. Now she feels 2018 will be an even more marvellous year for her as Kashi, another Bollywood film in which she stars, will release next year. She will be seen playing the second lead role. Actor Sharman Joshi is the protagonist. Riyana is also playing the leading lady in the Hindi film Jatt Batallion directed by director Goldy Gill. This does not mean that Riyana is not active in Oriya films. She is the heroine of the yet to be released Sanjay Nayak directed Oriya film Tu Achhu Ta Mu Achhi, In Orissa, Riyana is best known for her album To Pakhare Atakichi which has crossed one million plus views. The actress, who has also modeled for some popular brands, says, “The year 2017 was good for me as my movie released in theatres. Now I am working for a number of films which will hit the screen in 2018. So, I am eagerly waiting for the New Year.”

Karan Singh Ray, actor

The protagonist of Oriya films Mu Gandhi Nuhen and Tike Anadi Pura Khiladi, Karan Singh was in the news recently for the latter film where three heroines featured opposite him. Asked about his New Year resolutions, the award winning actor says, “The year 2017 was very good for me especially because I got a chance to play the protagonist in Tike Anadi Pura Khiladi. It was a ‘talent test’ film for me, because I was cast in three roles opposite three heroines. My real identity is revealed only in the climax. Besides, I had a number of scenes with veteran actor Bijay Mohanty. As a child, I was his big fan. So, it was an honour for me to do scenes with him.” About his New Year resolution, Karan says, “After a successful stint in Oriya films, I am planning to move base to Mumbai. Hope the New Year will bestow me with more acting success.”

Anubha Sourya, actress

Daughter of veteran Oriya actress Pushpa Panda, Anubha Sourya is very pleased with her performance this year. She is elated over her role in Bajarangi where she stars opposite Amlan Das. She has also worked with Oriya veterans like Siddhant Mahapatra and Pintu Nanda which made the year more special for her. Recounting her success in 2017, the actress says, “It was a special year as I got the opportunity to play my dream role in the movie Bajrangi. I played the character of a cop in the film. In real life, I am a soft-spoken bubbly girl. So I had to work hard to play the role of a police inspector. I had some action sequences too. However, all my efforts were worthwhile as people applauded my acting. I feel their love and blessings have strengthened me as an actress. On the personal front, I attended the weddings of some of my closest friends and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Overall, I am looking forward to 2018. I hope the coming year will be a good one and I will be cast in more films with roles of my choice.”

Tamanna, actress

Actress Tamanna is the heroine of Nijhum Ratira Sathi released in 2017. Besides, she has worked in the yet to be released Joker and these days is busy with the shoot of Blackmail. She says, “Thankfully, I have got completely different type of roles in all my films. Even the songs, dances and looks are different which has given me a chance to prove myself as an actress.” Asked whether like some other Oriya actors she has any plans to shift base to Mumbai in 2018, she says, “No, I love Orissa and want to be here. And I wish many others move out to Mumbai so that I would have to face less competition (laughs). The audience has appreciated my work this year and I would like to earn the same level of appreciation in the New Year. I would like to do more films in 2018. I wish a Happy New Year to all my well-wishers.”

Sabita, model

Model Sabita has walked the ramp in a number of shows including ‘Miss Kalinga 2k17’, ‘DIVA 2017’, and ‘Kalinga Sundari’ beauty pageants organised in Bhubaneswar. She has also acted in the TV serial ‘Sankha Sindura.’ She says, “For me, 2017 was a mixed bag as I had both good and bad experiences. However, since the good part was bigger, I consider myself lucky. I am looking forward with hope to doing well in my career in the upcoming year.”

Jyoti Nayak, actor

Jyoti Nayak began his career as an actor this year and did a number of films such as Dele Dhara Katha Sare, opposite Bengal beauty Malovika, and Mitha Mitha and Tu Mo Hero opposite Jhilik. Jyoti won an acting contest TV show Mitha Mitha Jodi along with his partner Ankita and entered filmdom. The actor says, “The year 2017 turned out to be the best one so far for my career as I had four releases this year with two hits. I got a chance to work for big banners while renowned directors and actors wanted to cast me in their films. As a newcomer I was able to carve a niche for myself in the industry. As to my personal life, I spent some real good moments with my parents this year. I feel blessed as I have got all things that I wanted. I hope, like this year, 2018 also will bless me with a number of quality films.”