Legendary actor of Odia films Hemant Das known for his soulful
acting. He acted in over 50 films and had created a niche for himself as
a distinguished artist in the Odia film industry.
Life & Career
 |
| Hemant Das |
Hemant
Das started his career as a news reader in All India Radio in New Delhi
and then moved to Odisha. Das' maiden entry into the Odia film began
with "Bhai Bhai" directed by Nitai Palit in 1956. After that he did not
look back. He possessed no great looks. Rather he was like an everyman
in most of the movies, where he played the roles of a vagabond in Jajabara (1975) or a ordinary villager in Chilika Teerey (1978). But without him no movie could be complete as viewers identified with him over last 5 decades. Starting with his debut movie Bhai Bhai (1956) to his last film Tume Hi Sathi Mora (2009), he made the ordinary man famous something like RK Laxman’s common man.
He
had won national and State awards, including Jaydev award in 1991, for
outstanding performance. Among films in which he showed his acting
prowess are Jajabara (1975), Chilika Teerey (1978), Maa O Mamata (1980), Sesha Shrabana (1976), Danda Balunga (1984), Seeta Rati (1981), Hakim Babu (1985), Hisab Nikas (1982), Nirab Jhada (1984) and Kichhi Smruti Kichhi Anubhuti (1988). He even acted in Hindi National Award winning movie "Shodh".
He
was part of the directors-trio "Trimurti" with singer Akshaya Mohanty
and playwright Bijay Mishra. The team directed the hit movie Jajabara (1975).
Hemant Das was also well-known as a radio artist and a director. He
worked in the news section of AIR, Katak and acted in television
serials.
Last Phase of Life
The
76-year-old versatile actor died on 27 April 2010 after after a
prolonged illness. The veteran actor suffered much pain and agony in the
last phase of his life. He was financially distressed and was not
keeping well after the death of his wife and son. He shifted to his
native place Khamaranga village of Banki from Katak in 1995 and was
staying there with his sister, Sebati.
"He had many
dreams in his eyes. He wanted to complete his unfinished works, but was
unable to do. In his last days, he wanted to meet his colleagues with
whom he shared the golden years of his life. All his dreams remained
unfulfilled," said Sebati, who was taking care of Das for the last 30
years. "His last wish was to complete the movie Sulochana, based on
Fakir Mohan Senapati's famous story Patent Medicine'. Due to paucity of
funds and his illness he could not complete it. He always discussed the
project. But nothing could be done," said his nephew Jajati Patnaik.
Das
was very fond of his native village Khamaranga hence he was cremated
there. "He had dedicated his entire life to Odia films and theatre. He
was a versatile actor and his death has created a vacuum in the Odia
film industry, which can never be filled up," said Prashant Nanda, noted
actor and politician.
Filmography
Actor
- Tume Hi Sathi Mora (2009)
- Agni Beena (1990)
- Mamatara Dori (1989)
- Shasti (1989)
- Thili Jhia Heli Bohu (1988)
- Kasturi (1988)
- Kanyadana (1988)
- Kichhi Smruti Kichhi Anubhuti (1988)
- Bhuli Huena (1987)
- Nala Damayanti (1986)
- Chaka Bhaunri (1986)
- Sabu Mayare Baya (1986)
- Sanskar (1986)
- Jaga Balia (1985)
- Jaga Hatare Pagha (1985)
- Pooja Phula (1985)
- Hakim Babu (1985)
- Sankha Sindura (1985)
- Mamata Mage Mula (1985)
- Janani (1984)
- Pratidhwani (1984)
- Danda Balunga (1984)
- Nirab Jhada (1984)
- Ram Rahim (1983)
- Aashara Akasha (1983)
- Ashanta Graha (1982)
- Hisab Nikas (1982)
- Pooja (1981)
- Seeta Rati (1981)
- Maa O Mamata (1980)
- Balidan (1979)
- Shodh (1979) (Hindi)
- Chilika Teerey (1978)
- Amar Prema (1977)
- Sesha Shrabana (1976)
- Jajabara (1975)
- Maa (1958)
- Bhai Bhai (1956)
Director
- Jajabara (1975) (Co-directed with singer Akshaya Mohanty and playwright Bijay Mishra)
Reference
