Ollywood recalls thespian Mohanty’s life and films
Bhubaneswar: Bijay Mohanty’s untimely death has left the state in shock and disbelief. Bijay, who had a larger than life image both in the reel and real life, was a natural actor who exhibited an array of emotions on screen.
Known for his stellar work in hundreds of films, the actor will remain in the hearts of his fans and well-wishers.
Bijay’s screen presence as a gangster making rings of smoke in his first released film ‘Naga Phasa’ was unmatched.
He changed the way villains would be portrayed in Odia films. So powerful was his performance in a negative role that he played a series of antagonists in films like ‘Swapna Sagar’, ‘Maa Mamata’, ‘Danda Balunga’, ‘Dora’, ‘Sahari Bagha’ and ‘Kie Jite Kie Hare’, where he overshadowed the heroes.
“In the 70s, fresh talent entered the Odia industry. Films were made with Odia stories. They struck a chord with the masses.
Bijay was one of the most promising finds of that golden era. He even brought uniqueness in the remake films of the 90s. He was so excited when I offered him ‘Kali Shankar’ in 2008,” said director and actor Prasana Nanda.
Bijay left the audience spellbound in his character roles but he was equally powerful as the hero. Be it innocent ‘Bhagia’ of the classic ‘Chha Mana Atha Guntha’, ‘Benu Bhai’ in Kaberi, ‘Jagan’ in ‘Jaga Hatare Pagha’ or in films like ‘Hakim Babu’, ‘Ei Ama Sansara’, ‘Mamata Mage Mula’, ‘Pua Heba mo Kala Thakura’ and ‘Suna Panjuri’, he imbued his characters with dignity and pathos. He was also impeccable playing mythological characters in ‘Nala Damayanti’ and ‘Manika’.
A reserved and soft-spoken man, he acted in more than 30 films with his wife Tandra Ray . The two formed one of the most iconic on-screen and off-screen couples in the Odia film industry.
“I have been seeing him since I was a child and would visit sets with my father. After my first take as lead in ‘Jhia Mora Jagata Jeeta’, he kept his hand over my head and said I will go a long way. He has always been very affectionate. A teacher is a teacher and he would give me tips on how to improve,” said actor Anu Chaudhury.