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| Jayaram Samal (Jayee) |
Popularly known as Jayee in the Odia film industry, acclaimed actor Jayaram Samal hardly needs an introduction to the Odias. For more than four decades, he has been ruling the entertainment industry as the uncrowned Comedy King. He is the lone actor whose popularity continues to be at its peak for generations of audience despite the changing taste and times.
Life & Career
Born in Kumuda Jaipur village in Katak district in 1948, his first brush with acting and direction was at the tender age of 10 when as a primary school student he directed, acted and staged a drama with the help of his schoolmates on the mythical character of Ekalavya from The Mahabharat about whom he had learnt from the text book. Born with a natural talent and flair for acting and crazy about a career in it, he joined the famous Annapurna Theatre in Katak as a junior actor against all odds. Initially, he did not click but once he stepped into the comic characters, there was no looking back.
More than a decade later, he had his debut in cinema with Jajabar (1975) and so far he has acted in more than 200 films – a rare record. He has also acted in above 150 numbers of radio plays and an equal number of stage plays. Like his domination over the silver screen, he has also dominated the small screen with about 100 tele serials. He also continues to direct stage plays, the touring theatre of jatra and television serials. He has lent his magical voice for a large number of audio cassettes of comic plays besides scores of advertisements for radio and television. He also sings for his characters at times that have made him dear to his countless fans.
Besides ruling the Odia film scene for decades, he has also made a foray into the Bengali and Hindi film industry though he loves to be based in his home town of Katak, the erstwhile cultural capital of Odisha and the nerve centre of Odia entertainment industry.
Awards
In 2008, Jayaram Samal was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award at the 40th Banichitra Awards presented by the Banichitra film magazine along with singer Raghunath Panigrahi. He was also awarded with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award, in recognition of his services and eminence, for the year 2009.
