Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The mortal remains of celebrated Odia actor Uttam Mohanty were consigned to flames at the Satya Nagar crematorium on Friday, as hundreds of fans gathered to bid a tearful adieu to the iconic star.
Amid chants of ‘Uttam Mohanty Amar Rahe’ (May Uttam Mohanty live forever), his son, Odia superstar Babushan, performed the last rites. The Odisha government honored the veteran actor with a guard of honor before his cremation.
Final Journey of a Cinema Icon
Mohanty, who had been battling liver ailments, passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi on Thursday night. Following his demise, his body was flown to Bhubaneswar, where his residence at Jagannath Vihar saw an outpouring of grief from fans, industry peers, and political dignitaries.Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who was in Puri at the time, visited Mohanty's home to pay his last respects and console his widow, veteran actress Aparajita Mohanty.
BJD MLA Nanta Narayan Jena and OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das also paid floral tributes, with the latter offering his respects at Biju Patnaik International Airport as the actor’s body arrived from New Delhi.
The Bhubaneswar police implemented elaborate security and traffic arrangements to ensure a smooth funeral procession.
A Stellar Career Spanning Decades
Born in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district, Uttam Mohanty carved a niche for himself in the Odia film industry, starring in over 135 Odia and 30 Bengali films.His most memorable performances include ‘Danda Balunga’, ‘Jahaku Rakhibe Ananta’, ‘Rajanigandha’, ‘Chaka Bhaunri’, ‘Daiba Daudi’, ‘Kanya Dana’, ‘Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi’, ‘Pua Mora Kala Thakura’, and ‘Lakhe Shiba Puji Paichhi Pua’. He also appeared in the Hindi film ‘Naya Zaher’.
In 1987, he tied the knot with Aparajita Mohanty, another stalwart of Odia cinema.
Awards and Recognitions
Over his illustrious career, Mohanty received several accolades, including:- Jayadev Award (1999) for his outstanding contribution to Odia cinema
- Odisha Living Legend Award (2012)
- Multiple Orissa State Film Awards
Condolences from National and State Leaders
Several prominent figures expressed grief over Mohanty’s passing.President Droupadi Murmu mourned his demise, stating:
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati also paid tribute, saying:
Former CM and Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik acknowledged Mohanty’s impact, remarking:
As Odisha bids farewell to one of its most beloved film stars, Mohanty’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of cinephiles and aspiring actors.
