Uttam Mohanty is one of the most popular actors in Odia Film Industry. He has to his credit more than 135 Odia films to date and has acted in 30 Bengali films and in the only Hindi film Naya Zaher (1991). Mithun Chakraborty, after co-starring in Ae Jugara Krushna Sudama (1997) with him, paid tribute to his influence: 'I feel immensely lucky and honored to have worked with such an influential actor and I did learn a lot from him.'
Early Life
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| Uttam Mohanty |
Uttam Mohanty was born in Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. His grandfather settled in Baripada 150 years ago. He completed his early education from Maharaja Krushna Chandra High School & M. P. C. College of Baripada, where he actively participated in drama and plays. As a child he was very naughty which brought fresh complaints from outside. After matriculation he joined Maharaja Purnachandra College for Intermediate in Science. During his college days he was inclined more towards acting. He always tried to play the lead part in dramas. He was equally passionate to sports like badminton and table tennis. After completing graduation in commerce he went to Ludhiana for chartered accountancy. Thereafter he stayed with his elder brother, the late Arun Kumar Mohanty, in Kolkata for some time, enrolled in a chartered accountancy course there.Till now he is closely associated with Baripada.
Life and Career
Knowing that a film named Abhiman (1977) was being made in Baripada, he returned home with a hope of trying his luck in films. Though there were many contenders for the lead role, the director Sadhu Meher had a special interest in his capability and looks. He was selected. Co-actress Rita Chand was also debuting in that film. On the day of shooting he turned up to the set well-dressed with best possible suits available. Sadhu told him to come back with a get up of a poor guy. He was sent again to come back with old and dirty clothes and without make-up. The 1977 film was a box office hit.
Uttam now opted seriously for being an actor, and slowly stabilized his position in the Odia Film Industry. While staying in Kolkata he got an offer from director Dhira Biswal for his upcoming film titled Gouri (1979). Later that role was given to Prashant Nanda. The next film he did was Pati Patni (1978) opposite Mahasweta Ray. Then a streak of films like Nijhum Ratira Sathi (1979), Chinha Achinha (1979), Ramayana (1980), Tapasya (1980), Ram Balram (1980) happened. By the time he was established as a romantic star.
In the early eighties he played in almost 20 movies opposite leading actress Mahasweta Roy. Palatak (1985) was their last film. Again the pair came together by Prashanta Nanda in the film of Jaa Debi Sarba Bhuteshu (1990). Later both came in lot of films in nineties. Over fifty of his films are opposite Aparajita Mohanty, his wife. They first appeared together in Astaraga (1982), and married on 17 May 1987 in Municipality Guest House, Bhubaneswar. Other heroines who have acted opposite him include Anita Das, Sujata Anand, Tandra Roy, Deepa Sahu, Baisali Parida, Subhra Pati and Rachna Bannerje.
The eighties was the best time of his career. Many Odia Films of the 1980s had Uttam Mohanty in it, and he dominated the Odia Film Industry. He excelled in all kinds of roles: romantic, village lad, character, etc. There was a time from 1984 up to 1994, when Odia Movie Industry was dearth of lead actors who could play traditional 'Hero' role. There were very 'few handful' of lead actors. Prashant Nanda was ageing, Sriram Panda was slowly vanishing from silver screen at peak of his career. Bijay Mohanty was seen more in character roles than lead roles. Mihir Das was preferred in second lead. There left only 'one Man who could carry a movie on his shoulders' and guarantee box office return. He was non other than Uttam Mohanty. Between that period he gave string of hit movies like, Abhilasha (1984), Danda Balunga (1984), Pooja Phula (1985), Jaga Hatare Pagha (1985), Sahari Bagha (1985), Mamata Mage Mula (1985), School Master (1985), Sata Kebe Luchi Rahena (1986), Chaka Bhaunri (1986), Jor Jar Mulak Tar (1987), Tunda Baida (1987), Suna Chadhei (1988), Pua Mora Kala Thakura (1988), Papa Punya (1988), Kanyadana (1988), Thili Jhia Heli Bohu (1988), Jahaku Rakhibe Ananta (1988), Chaka Aakhi Sabu Dekhuchi (1989), Rajanigandha (1989), Chakadola Karuchi Leela (1990), Daiba Daudi (1990), Paradeshi Chadhei (1991), To Binu Anya Gati Nahin (1991), Kapala Likhana (1992), Mukti Tirtha (1992), Dadagiri (1992), Baadshah (1993), Bhagya Hate Dori (1993), Akuha Katha (1994), etc. He acted in variety of roles like, romantic, action, family drama, double role, also in off beat movies like Sashti (1989) which positioned his image as Super Star of Odia Cinema. He was also part of several bi-lingual movies made in Odia and Bengali, when the trend started with Michha Maya Sansar (1989). Notable movies are Bidhira Bidhan (1989), Maa (1992) & Baadshah (1993). Uttam Mohanty along with his wife Aparajita Mohanty made a dedicated fan base in Bengal and his action movies were regularly dubbed in Bengali. Towards 1994 Sidhant Mohapatra emerged as new lead man in Odia movies.
After 1995 he got more character roles due to his age. In films like Subhadra (1995), Jashoda (1996), Kalamanika (1996) he did character roles. In the later period of his career he also took television roles. Serials like Je Pakhi Ude Jete Dura, Katha Kahuthile Saribani, Sara Akash, Panatakani and Uttardayi are most popular. His role as Bikhu Bhai in Sara Akash is memorable. His Hindi serials include Palash and Bengali serial Bideshini Bohu. His has also contributed to Bhajan Albums.
Uttam Mohanty is the only star in the Odia Cinema horizon to have been at the top for nearly two decades, dominating the Odia Film Industry throughout the 80's and 90's. His rural fan base led him to do many films which had rustic story lines and from which intellectuals shield away. Many critics and fellow actors and seniors have often expressed in public podium that during the commercially dry days of early nineties of Odia Cinema, when the Odia Film Industry was under heavy financial stress, it was Uttam Mohanty's efforts and charm which saved the day. He is in demand among off-mainstream filmmakers as well. He has won many Odia film awards and prizes as a best actor. A number of societies and institutes have honored him as a living legend of Odia Film Industry.
Uttam Mohanty now lives in Bhubaneswar. Currently, he is working for Odia tele-serials and movies. He and Aparajita Mohanty have a son named Tanmay Mohanty (Babushan) who is also an actor.
Awards and Accreditation
- Odisha Living Legend Award 2012
- State Film Award as Best Actor for Phula Chandan, Jhiati Sita Pari, Danda Balunga, Suna Chadhei
- State Film Award as Best Supporting actor for To Binu Anyagati Nahin
- Jayadev Puraskar in 1999
- Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award in 2006
- Awards from Critics Association, Chitrapuri, Banichitra, Chalachitra Jagat
- 5th FitFat Biscope Award - 2008
Filmography
IMDBTele Serials
- Je Pakhi Ude Jete Dura
- Katha Kahuthile Saribani
- Panatakani
- Sara Akasha
- Uttardai
Reference: Wikipedia
