Bhubaneswar: The mortal remains of veteran Ollywood actor Uttam Mohanty arrived in Bhubaneswar Friday.
Mohanty, a celebrated figure in the Odia film industry, passed away late Thursday night while undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis at a private hospital in Gurgaon. He was widely recognised for his contributions to Odia cinema, shaping its trajectory and inspiring generations of actors and filmmakers.
His passing marks the end of an era in Ollywood, leaving behind a legacy cherished by fans and the film fraternity alike.
A large number of cine artists, cultural figures, fans and members of the general public gathered at Biju Patnaik International Airport to pay their final respects to the beloved actor.
At his residence, an overwhelming crowd of admirers formed a long queue to catch one last glimpse of the legendary star.
His last rites will be performed at the Satya Nagar crematorium here with full state honours, family friend Rabi Mishra said.
Making his debut with the 1977 film Abhiman, directed by Sadhu Meher, Mohanty’s natural charisma and versatility quickly endeared him to audiences. Over the years, he showcased his acting prowess in over 135 Odia films, as many as 30 Bengali films, and even ventured into Hindi cinema with Naya Zaher.
Also Read: A legend par excellence
His collaborations with leading actresses like Rita Chand, Sujata Ananda, and Mahasweta Ray produced numerous box-office hits, solidifying his status as a stalwart of Odia cinema.
Beyond the silver screen, Mohanty was a dedicated family man. In 1987, he married actress Aparajita Mohanty, and together they became one of the most beloved couples in the industry. Their son, Babushaan Mohanty, has followed in his parents’ footsteps, carving out his own niche in the Odia film landscape.
President Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, CM Majhi, leader of the opposition Naveen Patnaik, culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj and many other dignitaries expressed their grief over Mohanty’s demise.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of eminent film actor Shri Uttam Mohanty. Shri Mohanty won the hearts of countless viewers by playing the lead role in many Odia films. His contribution to the development of Odia film will always be remembered. As a sweet-spoken and humble gentleman, he was the idol of all. His demise has caused an irreparable loss to the Odia film world. My condolences to his family and fans,” President Murmu said in a post on X in Odia.
ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଚଳଚ୍ଚିତ୍ର ଅଭିନେତା ଶ୍ରୀ ଉତ୍ତମ ମହାନ୍ତିଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ସମ୍ବାଦ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ମର୍ମାହତ । ଶ୍ରୀ ମହାନ୍ତି ଅନେକ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଚଳଚ୍ଚିତ୍ରରେ ନାୟକ ଭୂମିକାରେ ଅବତୀର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହୋଇ ଅସଂଖ୍ୟ ଦର୍ଶକଙ୍କ ହୃଦୟ ଜୟ କରିଥିଲେ । ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଚଳଚ୍ଚିତ୍ର ବିକାଶ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରର ତାଙ୍କର ଅବଦାନ ସର୍ବଦା ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ହୋଇ ରହିବ । ଜଣେ ମିଷ୍ଟଭାଷୀ ଓ ଅମାୟିକ…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 28, 2025
“Upon learning of the passing away of veteran Ollywood actor Uttam Mohanty, Honorable Governor Shri @DrHariBabuK expressed grief and prayed for the eternal peace of his soul and extended his condolences to the bereaved family members,” Kambhampati said in a post on X.
“I am saddened to learn about the demise of the popular and legendary actor of the Odia film world, Uttam Mohanty. It has created a huge void in the art world. The mark he left in many films will forever keep him in the hearts of people. In such a sad time, I express my condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the eternal peace of his soul,” Patnaik said in a post on the microblogging site.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଚଳଚ୍ଚିତ୍ର ଜଗତର ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ତଥା କିମ୍ବଦନ୍ତୀ ଅଭିନେତା ଉତ୍ତମ ମହାନ୍ତିଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। କଳା ଜଗତରେ ଏହା ଏକ ବିରାଟ ଶୂନ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିଛି। ଅନେକ ଚଳଚ୍ଚିତ୍ରରେ ସେ ଛାଡ଼ି ଯାଇଥିବା ଛାପ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ହୃଦୟରେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଚିର ଅମର କରି ରଖିବ। ଏପରି ଦୁଃଖଦ ସମୟରେ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ମୋର…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) February 28, 2025
