Uttam Mohanty

Early life

Uttam Mohanty was born at Mayurbhanj in Odisha. His grandfather settled in Baripada 150 years ago. He completed his early education from M.K.C 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 Ku. 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 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 take the make-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 stabilised his position in the Oriya film industry. While staying in Kolkata he got an offer from director Dhir Biswal for his upcoming film titled Gouri. Later that role was given to Prasanta Nanda. The next film he did was "Pati Patni" opposite Mahasweta Ray. Then a streak of films like "Nijhum ratira sathi", "Chinha Achhinha", "Ramayana", Tapasya, Ram Balram happened. By the time he was established as a romantic star.Uttam Mohanty was especially adored for his effortless naturalism in front of the camera and a distinctively urbane charisma that broke free from the prototypical Oriya screen hero of the past.[citation needed] He went on to form successful screen pairs with many leading ladies like Rita Chand, Sujata Ananda, Tandra Roy, Mahasweta Ray, Deepa Sahu, Subhra Pati, Aparajeeta, Baisali, Sangeeta Das even Rachana Benerjee and other non oriya actress. Often hailed as the one-man industry, Uttam Mohanty dominated Oriya cinema for three decades. The eighties was the best time of his career. Many Ollywood films of the 1980s had Uttam Mohanty in them, and he dominated the Oriya film industry. He excelled in all kinds of roles: Romantic, Village Lad, Character. Abhiman, Danda Balunga, Bhakta Salabega are even remembered today for his stupendous acting. He also worked in around 30 Bengali films and one Hindi film - Naya Jahar, opposite Satabdi Roy.

In the early eighties he played in almost 20 movies opposite leading actress Mahasweta Ray (Rasmi Ray). Though they fell in love and decided to marry, the love did not last long, and the pair separated. "Palatak" (1985) was their last film. Again the pair was hit in 1988 by Prashanta Nanda in the film of "Ja Devi Sarbavutesu". 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, Sujata, Tandra, Deepa, Baisali, Subhra Pati, and Rachana Bannerje.

After 1995 he got more character roles due to his age. In films like "Jashoda", "Subhadra", Kalamanika he did character roles. In the later period of his career he also took television roles. Serials like 'Je Pakhi Ude Jete Dura', 'Sara Akash', Panatakani and 'Uttaradayi' 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 music albums and Bhajaas.

Uttam Mohanty now lives in Bhubaneswar. Currently, he is working for Oriya tele-serials and movies, and interested in enhancing his knowledge in the area of politics. He and Aparajita Mohanty have a son named Tanmay Mohanty.

Uttam Mohanty is the only star in the Oriya cinema horizon to have been at the top for nearly two decades, dominating the Oriya 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 shied away. Many critics and fellow actors and seniors have often expressed in public podium that during the commercially dry days of early nineties of Oriya cinema, when the Oriya 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 Oriya filmfare awards and prizes as a best actor. A number of societies and institutes have honored him as a living legend of Ollywood cinema.

Awards and accreditation

Filmography

2009 – Pagala Karichi Paunji Tora

2009 – Tu Mori Pain

2009 – Ailare Odia Pua

2009 – Romeo – The Lover Boy

2007 – Tumaku Paruni Ta Bhuli

2007 – Mu Tate Love Karuchi

2007 – Ae Jugara Krushna Sudama

2005 – Bazi

2005 – Om Shanti Om

2005 – Agni Parikshya

2002 – Sei Jhiati

2002 – Samaya Kheluchi Chaka Bhaunri

2002 – Dharma Sahile Hela

2001 – Mo Kola To Jhulana

2001 – Baazi

1999 – Maa Pari Kie Haba

1999 – Kala Chakra

1998 – Sahara Jaluchi

1998 – Rupa Gaanra Suna Kania

1997 – Raghu Arakhita

1997 – Nari Bi Pindhi Pare Rakta Sindura

1997 – Lakhe Siba Puji Paichi Pua

1996 – Sakala Tirtha To Charane

1996 – Pua Mora Bhola Shankar

1995 – Rakata Kahiba Kie Kahara

1994 – Pacheri Uthila Majhi Duaru

1994 – Naga Jyoti

1994 – Akuha Katha

1993 – Dadagiri

1993 – Bhagya Hate Dori

1993 – Sukher Swarga

1992 – Sukha Sansara

1992 – Naga Panchami

1992 – Maa

1992 – Bhisma Pratigyan

1992 – Badshah

1991 – To Binu Anya Gati Nahi

1991 – Kapala Likhan

1991 – Akuha Katha

1991 – Bastra Haran

1991 – Mukti Tirtha

1991 - Aama Ghara Aama Sansara

1991 – Naya Zaher (Hindi)

1990 – Bidhira Bidhan

1990 – Nua Bhauja

1990 – Panchu Pandav

1990 – Kandhei

1990 – Raja Rani

1990 – Ja Devi Sarba Bhuteshu

1990 – Sasti

1990 – Topae Sindura Di Topa Luha

1989 – Thakura Achhanti Chau Bahaku

1989 – Paradeshi Chadhei

1989 – Nyaya Anyaya

1989 – Hasa Luha Bhara Duniya

1989 – Daiba Daudi

1988 – Pua Mora Kala Thakura

1988 – Papa Punya

1988 – Kanyadana

1988 – Bada Bhauja

1988 – Jahaku Rakhibe Ananta

1988 – Thili Jhia Heli Bohu

1987 – Tunda Baida

1987 – Suna Chadhei

1987 – Phula Chandan

1987 – Michha Mayara Sansara

1987 – Anyaya Sahibi Nahi

1987 – Golamgiri

1987 – Aei Ta Duniya

1987 – Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi

1987 – Badhu Nirupama

1986 – Paka Kambal Pot Chhata

1986 – Jor Jar Mulak Tar

1986 – Aei Ama Sansara

1986 – School Master

1986 - Sata kebe Luchi rahena

1986 – Sahari Bagha

1985 – Sankha Sindura

1985 – Samay Bada Balaban

1985 – Puja Phula

1985 – Palatak

1985 – Mamata Mage Mula

1985 – Jaga Hatare Pagha

1985 – Chaka Bhaunri

1984 – Janani

1984 – Jai Phula

1983 – Ram Rahim

1983 – Jhiatie Sita Pari

1983 – Abhilasha

1982 – Jwain Pua

1982 – Dekh Khabar Rakh Najar

1982 – Baje Bainshi Nache Ghungura

1982 – Astaraga

1981 – Debajani

1981 – Arati

1981 – Akshay Trutiya

1978 – Ram Balaram

1979 – Nijhum Ratira Sathi

1979 – Chinha Achinha

1978 – Ramayan

1978 – Danda Balunga

1978 – Sarapancha Babu

1978 – Sankha Mahuri

1978 – Pati Patni

1978 – Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja

1977 – Abhimaan

Serials