Odia actor Bijay Mohanty died at a private hospital here on Monday night following a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 70. Bijay Mohanty was admitted to hospital in the evening after his condition deteriorated, they said. He was suffering from a heart ailment and underwent treatment at Hyderabad, from where he was brought to Bhubaneswar in a special ambulance last month. He is survived by his wife Tandra Ray, an actor in the Odia film industry, and daughter Jasmine. A host of dignitaries including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan mourned Mohanty's death. Patnaik described Mohanty as a legendary personality who enriched the Odia film industry through his versatility. "He occupies a very special place in the hearts of millions of fans across the state and outside. His death marks the end of an era in the Odia film industry and has created a deep void in the industry. His contributions to Odia films will leave an unforgettable imprint for all times to come," Patnaik said in a message. Expressing his deep sympathy to Bijay Mohanty's bereaved family, the chief minister announced that the veteran actor's mortal remains will be cremated with state honours. "His demise marks the end of an era in the Odia film world. Bijay Mohanty, who won the hearts of millions through his acting, will be remembered for the times to come," Pradhan said in a message. People from various fields, including the Odia film industry, politics and sports also paid tributes to the veteran actor on social media. CM @Naveen_Odisha has expressed deep grief over the passing away of renowned film actor & director #BijayMohanty. CM said, his death marks the end of an era and has created a deep void in Odia film industry. CM announced that the veteran actor will be cremated with state honours. — CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 20, 2020 An era came to an end. Rest in peace sir Bijay Mohanty 🙏 pic.twitter.com/LvaNn28icu — Archita Sahu (@architaworld) July 20, 2020 Once he was asked in an interview that after NSD why he didn't choose Bombay like Om Puri, Naseerudhin Shah & many other batchmates, In which he replied "ନିଜ ମାଟିରେ ହଳ କରିବାରେ ଯୋଉ ଖୁସି ସେଇଟା ମୋତେ ବମ୍ବେ ରେ କୋଉ ମିଳିଥାନ୍ତା ? " then the rest is HISTORY for OLLYWOOD.#BijayMohanty — Subash Chandra Badajena (@badajenacasm) July 21, 2020 Bijay Sir, I will miss u for ever 😢 The Beautiful memories with you will always keep u alive in my heart. #RIPBijayMohanty sir #BijayMohanty pic.twitter.com/uIi8n2YLTY — SABYASACHI MISHRA 🇮🇳 (@sabyaactor) July 20, 2020 Recently while I was driving back to home, I was listening to Om Puri ji’s interview on AIR FM and he was mentioning about you sir and about your NSD days, I felt so proud alone inside the car., end of a legendary verifiable actor. RIP Bijay Mohanty, Pranam 🙏🌹🌹🌹 pic.twitter.com/IjGOH2RoMK — Snehasis Das (@Snehasi42299388) July 21, 2020 Deeply pained to know about the demise of Legendary Actor of Ollywood #BijayMohanty .My deepest condolences to his family. It's a huge loss for Odia Cinema. Om Shanti. 🙏 — Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) July 20, 2020 The untimely demise of veteran Odia actor #BijayMohanty Sir is very saddening. His legacy will always live on. In his passing away, the state has lost a beloved son while Odisha film industry has lost a gem. My condolences to his family, friends, fans & the entire film fraternity pic.twitter.com/4Rg1ODmXDy — Chandan Ray (@imchandanRay) July 20, 2020 Born in 1950, Bijay Mohanty had started acting during his school days. He had passed from the National School of Drama and had devoted himself to directing plays in the mid-seventies. Mohanty had started his career in Odia cinema in 1977 with Chilika Tire which had won the National Award that year. He had acted in a number of Odia films including Naga Phasa, Samay Bada Balaban, Danda Balunga, Sahari Bagha, Chaka Bhaunri and Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi. He had joined the drama department of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and had retired as a professor from the institute. Bijay Mohanty also had a brief stint in politics when he joined the Congress in 2014 and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections in the same year from Bhubaneswar. He had quit politics soon after that.
