RASHMI REKHA DAS
Thanks to a string of gripping performances in Oriya movies, Class VII student Lohitakshya Pattnaik is a household name in the state. The child artiste, who aims to be a paediatric neurosurgeon, is also an impressive anchor and tabla player
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At a tender age when kids generally start picking up the basics of acting, Lohitakshya Pattnaik has earned a name for himself as one of the most accomplished child actors of his generation. The little star has mesmerised audiences over the last few years with gripping and memorable performances in films like ‘Dream Girl’, ‘Prem Rogi’, ‘Deewana’, ‘Mu Kana Ete Kharap’, ‘Loafer’, ‘Idiot’, ‘Thukul’ and ‘Chota Don’.
The pocket-sized talent is not confined to the regional film industry. He is making waves in the Hindi film and television industries too. Lohitakshya has showcased his acting skills in mega television soaps like ‘Raavi’, ‘Sapath’, ‘Crime Patrol’, ‘CID’, ‘Aahat’, and ‘Beintihan.
The list of his appearances in television soaps and films does not end here. Lohitakshya made a special appearance in the Hindi movie ‘Take it Easy’ which earned him kudos and made him a household name overnight. He will be seen in the Hindi movie ‘Bache Kache Sache’ in which he will share screen space with Mukesh Tiwari and Anna Hazzare. The movie is expected to hit theatres by June end.
Son of businessman Debasis and homemaker Sandhya Pattnaik, Lohitakshya is a lad of many talents. He started playing the tabla when he was barely two years old. He has entered the Limca Book of Records with his tabla performance and appeared in several advertisements.
The child artiste has walked the ramp at ALT Fashion and bagged the best model award and he is a good host too. The talented actor has anchored over 50 episodes of Generation Z aired on MBC TV Channel. He was the promo guy of NICK channel and has specialised in solo dancing.
Asked about his debut in Oriya films, the Class VII student said: “I was two and half years old when I wowed my Kidzee teacher Madhu Mishra by my acting skills. She advised my parents to give me an opportunity to prove my talent in the film industry. Thanks to her, I bagged a role in the movie ‘Dream Girl’ directed by Ashok Pati. Subsequently, I got the opportunity to work in movies like ‘Prem Rogi’, ‘Deewana’, ‘Mu Kana Ete Kharap’, ‘Thookul’ and a few others as well as in serials like ‘Abhujha-E-Mana’.
Despite the fact that the young actor is busy doing films, television advertisements and TV soaps, he manages to reserve enough time for studies. “Though I remain busy with shootings round the year, I never neglect studies. I make it a point to devote four to five hours for studies every day. I want to be a paediatric neurosurgeon and my parents always advise me to pay attention to my studies over and above acting,” he said.
Mumbai-based Lohitakshya is a student of Anupam Kher’s acting institute. Asked about the notable qualities of his mentor, Lohitakshya said: “Kher sir is a legendary actor and a very friendly person. He has the great ability of making all his students feel very comfortable as he never gives out the impression that he is a strict teacher.”
To the question as to who are his favourite actors in Oriya filmdom Lohitakshya replied: “I love to share screen space with Babushan, Budhaditya and Bobby Mishra. They are cool and I have learnt a lot of valuable lessons from them.”
Not many child actors have made it as big as Lohitakshya at such a young age. How does he rate his performance and how inspiring has been the awards he has received so far? He said: “I have bagged awards like the Tarang TV Best Child Artiste Award 2013, Best ETV Odia Child Artiste 2010, Chalchitra Jagat Award, Banichitra Award and the Silver Screen and Odisha Film Fair 2013 awards in the child artiste category. Every time I receive an award I remind myself that it would not have been possible without the blessings of god and also my parents who have supported me all through.”
