Bijay Mohanty


Bijay Mohanty was an Indian film actor of Odia Cinema. He was honored a National Film Award.

Early life

Bijay Mohanty was born in 1950 at Pandiri, Kendrapara and brought up in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa. He started acting during his school days while studying in M.K.C High School. After his graduation from BA, he joined the National School of Drama. He passed successfully from the NSD with classmates like Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, and Om Puri etc. He acted in the theatres and stayed in Delhi up to 1975. After returning to Odisha, he devoted himself to directing plays.

Career

In 1977, Mohanty started upon his career in the Oriya film industry with the film Chilika Tire which won the National Award for that year. Initially he opted mostly for negative roles. Naga Phasa, Samay Bada Balaban, Danda Balunga, Sahari Bagha, Chaka Bhaunri and Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi are some of his most notable films as this type of character. He acted in almost every manner of roles available to him; ranging from hero, villain, comedian, to character roles etc. In every field he left his incomparable mark. Mohanty's other notable films include; Arati, Mamata Mage Mula, Aei Aama Sansara, Aama Ghara Aama Sansara, Ki Heba Sua Posile, Bhisma Pratigya, Bhai Hela Bhagari, Suna Panjuri, Laxman Rekha, Rakhi Bhijigala Akhi Luhare and I Love My India.
He also directed the movie Bhuli Huena.
He joined the Drama department of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in 1977 and retired as a professor from the institute in recent years.
Jugechha, a drama troupe which he formed in his native place of Baripada was a well-known troupe and staged plays in different parts of Orissa as well as throughout the country.
Some of his television serials aired on Doordarshan include; Asara Aloka, Sri Jagannath, Subhadra, Sara Akasa, Samaya Chaka, Sakalara Apekhya Re, Nadekhile Loka Dekhe, Mahayagyan and Bidhatara Khela.

Political career

Bijay joined Indian National Congress on 27 February 2014. He stood for election to become a member of Parliament from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat in 2014 Indian general elections and was defeated. Recently he declared his resignation from Congress citing that he was not actively involved in politics after the 2014 general elections.

Personal life

He was married to Tandra Ray, an actress of the Oriya film industry. The couple acted in a number of films opposite each other. They have one daughter named Jasmine Mohanty. His son-in-law, Debadutta Panda is a professor of Economics in IMT, Hyderabad campus. He passed away on 20th July, 2020.He was a star so simple and down to earth that people loved him very much in Odisha.

Awards and honours

Bijay Mohanty died in Care hospital at the age of 70 on 20th July 2020 evening in Bhubaneswar. He was rushed to the hospital by his family members. The actor was rushed to Care Hospitals after his condition became critical in the evening. He, however, died while undergoing treatment, hospital sources said. Though his fans in Odisha recognise him as an humble personality but just like other actors in Olywood Film Industry, Bijay was also not a vegan, but consumed wide delicacies of meat and animal products which led to heart blockage and problems. Bijay will always remain in the heart of Odias.