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Articles by Sandip Bal
Odia film LAHARI explores the vibrancy of Odisha and Odia People
Bhubaneswar: You can have an idea, but may not execute it. You can execute someone else’s idea so perfectly that you become a pioneer. Odia film Lahari, that’s hitting the theatres on September 12 (Friday) across Odisha, brings to the celluloid a transformative story, germinated and nourished in the rural belts of this state that’s truly got its moniker ‘India’s Best Kept Secret’.
How Languages Resist Forces Of Time
Languages have a complex relationship with time – stories of their contestations with time are nothing new. Scripts are understood as a prominent and crucial step in the evolution of a language over time. A script allows for a language to be recorded, thus reducing losses over time. It provides a consistent way of representing the meaning of sounds and words in a language, thus allowing for the standardisation of the language.
#VarshaAnubhavFallout: Varsha gets police protection
Keywords: Varsha Priyadarshini, Anubhav Mohanty, domestic violence, Cuttack, New Delhi Actress Varsha Priyadarshini has sought police protection, alleging that she’s worried about her safety and security after two strangers allegedly clicked photos and shot videos of her room while she was receiving a food delivery. She’s still staying the same building as her husband Anubhav Mohanty and his family.
Sabyasachi Mishra shot for a film alongside helping migrants reach their home
Keywords: Sabyasachi Mishra , migrants , Tamanna Vyas , Lucky Ra Lockdown Love Story , Pagal Premi , film , shooting , actor , lockdown Actor Sabyasachi Mishra has been in the news during the lockdown for his relentless effort in bringing migrants home. Even though he was busy in his endeavour to help people, he managed to shoot for a film just when the unlock process started. His film is also based on a theme related to the lockdown period.
Chinmay Mishra recovered from Covid-19
Keywords: Chinmay Mishra , Covid-19 , coronavirus , Bhubaneswar, Cuttack , positive , mask , Odia film and television Odia film and television actor Chinmay Mishra recovered from Covid-19 after undergoing the mandatory 14 days of isolation at home and medication. The actor had tested Covid-19 positive on August 22 and he informed about it through a social media post. He has also joined the shooting of his television serial.
Anubhav Mohanty rubbishes allegations levelled by wife Varsha
After it was revealed on Saturday actress Varsha Priyadarshini had filed a domestic violence case against her husband MP Anubhav Mohanty in the SDJM Court in Cuttack, it has come to the fore that Anubhav had filed a divorce case against Varsha in a family court in New Delhi in July.
#TeachersDayMemories: Ollywood celebs pay tributes to their teachers
As the country observed Teacher’s Day on Saturday, Ollywood celebrities remembered their teachers and how they helped them shape their lives. Actress Anu Chouhdury posted a picture of her parents on social media and said they were her first teachers. “My parents are my first teachers. I also salute to all my teachers who have always blessed me and guided me in my life (sic),” the actress wrote. Actor Partha Sarathi Ray also recalled his teachers, right from his school days to his theatre classes.
Anubhav and Varsha heading for a possible split
It’s the battle of the decade: Samsung Galaxy M51 vs Mo-B, the monster for the ‘Meanest Monster Ever’ title
Celebs wish their fans on Independence Day
Keywords: Independence Day Celebrities wished the countrymen on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day. The stars shared pictures and videos on social media wishing everyone.Actor Babushaan Mohanty wished his fans by singing the patriotic song Mera Rang De Basanti Chola in a video uploaded on social media, while actress Archita Sahu shared her photographs of distributing ration in a slum.
Riyana Sukla is happy to be back home
Keywords: Riyana Sukla , Mumbai, lockdown Actress Riyana Sukla, who was stuck in Mumbai due to the lockdown, is happy to be back with her family now. She works in the Hindi film industry and couldn’t come home due to some prior work commitments when the lockdown started.“I had some work till the last week of March and the lockdown was so sudden that I couldn’t take any decision then. I thought it would end soon but it kept on extending for more than two months.
Odia celebs wished good health for all on Janmashtami
Keywords: Janmashtami , Varsha Priyadarshini , Swaraj Barik , Sudarsan Pattnaik , Sivani Sangita , Shreyan Nayak , Lord Krishna , Bhubaneswar Odia celebrities observed Janmashtami by worshipping Lord Krishna at home and wishing their fans on social media. They also shared their throwback pictures of celebrating this festival in the past.
Actor Shreyan Nayak wants theatres to open for his movie Chumki’s release
Keywords: Shreyan Nayak, Chumki, Upasana Mohanty, Selfish Dil, lockdown, coronavirus, Chaudhuri Bikash Das, Pushpa Panda, Pragyan Khatua Post production of actor Shreyan Nayak’s film, Chumki- Se Ta Paanire Budiba Nahni Ki, has started after the unlock phase began. The film had been shot before lockdown but the coronavirus scare delayed its post-production. “The production of the film was over before March.
Tamanna Vyas shoots for her first Telugu film
Keywords: Tamanna Vyas Veyyi Shubhamulu Kalugu Neeku , Telugu, film Odia actress Tamanna Vyas has ventured into the south industry with a Telugu film. The actress is currently in Hyderabad shooting for her first Telugu film, Veyyi Shubhamulu Kalugu Neeku. She is playing the female protagonist of the romantic-horror-comedy film opposite actor Vijay Raja, who is son of renowned Telugu comedian Shivaji Raja.
Partha Sarathi Ray lived the character he will play in a short film
Keywords: Partha Sarathi Ray Actor Partha Sarathi Ray is known for his no-nonsense approach to acting. He spends time delving deep into the characters and getting under the skin of the characters before playing them onscreen. Recently, he was to play the role of a person perceived as mad for a short film and to give his best for the role, he had to live that character for a few days before the real shoot happened.He said that the protagonist of this short film is unlike any other usual characters.
Anubha Sourrya prepares for CAT
Keywords Anubha Sourrya, lockdown, management aptitude tests, CAT, mass communication, actress, media management Actress Anubha Sourrya used the lockdown period to prepare for various management aptitude tests. For her, the lockdown served as a period of realisations. As there is no work for more than four months now and several of her films are waiting for theatrical releases, she decided to go back to her studies. “I have a degree in mass communication.
Subhasis Nathsharma wants a month’s break till pandemic is eradicated
Keywords Subhasis Nathsharma, Aanisha Sharma, film, television, serial, pandemic, coronavirus Actor Subhasis Nathsharma, who is a popular face from the Odia film and television industries, has decided to take a break from shoots till the pandemic is controlled and the fear of coronavirus spread goes away. The daily rise in the number of cases has made him worried. After the unlock phase started, he was busy shooting for television channels and ad films.
Sivani completes dubbing for her film, Dil Mora Manena
Keywords- Sivani Sangita, Babushaan Mohanty, Dil Mora Manena, Bidyaran, lockdown, pandemic Actress Sivani Sangita recently finished dubbing for her film, Dil Mora Manena, in which she has acted along with Swaraj Barik. The actress completed her dubbing session once the lockdown in the city was relaxed a bit. Apart from the film Bidyaran that also stars Babushaan Mohanty, two of her other projects have also been stalled due to the ongoing pandemic. “The film Dil Mora Manena was shot last year.
Divya Mohanty is brushing up her dancing skills
Keywords- Divyadisha Mohanty, Sundargarh Ra Salman Khan, odissi, film, serial Actress Divyadisha Mohanty, who is known for her roles in films Sundargarh Ra Salman Khan, Bala- The Rhythm of Life, is busy spending time brushing up her dancing skills, as shooting for films is yet to resume in the state. Since the lockdown started, she got time to indulge in dancing, which has been her hobby since childhood. “This lockdown taught me to be patient.
Partha feels grateful to have Amarjit as best friend
Keyword- ParthaSarathi Ray, Amarjit Senapati, childhood, friend, Bhubaneswar, memories Actor ParthaSarathi Ray has a handful of close friends from childhood as well as from among his professional contacts. But he feels his childhood friend Amarjit Senapati is the one he shares the best memories with. “We were in same school and we just knew each other. But in Class IX, we were in same section and since then our friendship started and grew.
Archita’s banker sister is her best friend and fashion guide
Keywords: Archita Sahu, Arpita Sahu, friend, friendship, sibling, actress, banker Actress Archita Sahu’s best friend is her elder sister. She feels friendship among the siblings is the best thing in the world as both know each other well since childhood and both can be their own selves in front of each other without pretense. Archita said that as siblings they always fought but only for a while. “Even though she is married, we still fight over silly things. But we can’t live without each other.
Anubha Sourrya and Antara Chakraborty are each other’s support system
Keywords: Anubha Sourrya, Antara Chakraborty, actress, singer, friends, friendship, film, Odia Actress Anubha Sourrya and singer Antara Chakraborty are besties, who are also each other’s support system. Their friendship began around the time Anubha was working as a lead actress in an Odia film and Antara had sung the title track of that film. Both recalled how they were strangers for each other till they attended a television interview together.
Subhasis Sharma and Aanisha are friends first even after marriage
Keywords: Subhasis Nathsharma, Aanisha Sharma, Swabhiman, television, Odia, film, friendship Actor couple Subhasis Nathsharma and Aanisha Sharma are well-known faces of the Odia television and film industries. They met during the shoot of a popular television serial more than seven years ago. “When I first met Subhasis on the set of Swabhiman, he was that actor with an attitude who wouldn’t talk to others. But with time we became friends.
Anu Choudhury often scolds her best friend, Sonu Nanda
Keywords: Anu Choudhury, Sonu Nanda, friendship, friends, memories, Ollywood Actress Anu Choudhury has a few close friends with whom she shares everything. This Friendship Day, she is sharing her thoughts about her best friend, Sonu Nanda, with whom she has been friends for long. Though they met at an event, their bond became stronger over the years and their friendship is now the envy of many. By Anu’s own admission, she can scold Sonu anytime and he would listen to everything without resisting.
Prakruti Mishra lodges an FIR against cyber bullies
National award- winning actress Prakruti Mishra today lodged a police complaint against cyber bullies, who have been writing derogatory articles and comments in social media after she posted a picture of a liquor brand that she has been endorsing on her Instagram and Facebook pages. After she lodged the complaint in Mancheswar police station, a case was registered under section 500 of the IPC and 67 of the IT Act-2008.
Actress Deepa Sahu passes away
Actress Deepa Sahu, who had been fighting cancer for past several months, passed away today while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. The actress was being treated for uterus cancer, which was detected at a very advanced stage. Her colleagues from the Odia film, television and independent music fraternities mourned the demise of an actress who had more to give to the industry in terms of more number of years.
NSD pays tribute to Bijay Mohanty
keywords: Bijay Mohanty, Nation School of Drama, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, Suresh Sharma, Jayadev Award, Odisha, Odia cinema The National School of Drama (NSD) today paid tribute to late Bijay Mohanty, who was an alumnus of the premier institution. The veteran actor passed away on Monday after battling failing health post a heart attack two months ago. Pradip Kumar Mohanty, registrar of the institute, issued the letter that mentions Mohanty as a 1973-batch graduate.
Odisha bids a tearful adieu to Bijay Mohanty
The last rites of actor Bijay Mohanty, who breathed his last on Monday, was held at the Satyanagar crematorium on Tuesday afternoon after a guard of honour on the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya campus. The veteran actor died at a private hospital after following a heart attack two months ago. Since last night his fans and colleagues from the film, television, theatre and media fraternity have been visiting the hospital to have a last glimpse and pay their tributes.
Actor Sritam Das remembers 20 years of association with Bijay Mohanty
Actor Sritam Das remembered his time spent with the late Bijay Mohanty in past 20 years in the industry. While guiding the hearse to the place where the state administration had made arrangements to give a guard of honour to the legend, the young actor recalled those days starting from the first film. “We had more than 20 years of relationship. I started my first seven films with him. He was like a teacher for everyone who started their career with him.
Theatre personality Subodh Patnaik reminisces his memories with Bijay Mohanty
Theatre personality Subodh Pattnaik, who was a student of late Bijay Mohanty after the latter joined as a faculty member of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in the ’80s, remembered how he learnt the essence of theatre from the legendary actor just by watching his plays and direction. “As a theatre director and a student of Bijay Sir, I would say that it’s he who defined the true meaning of theatre to me. According to Natyasashtra, there are three elements – Aangika, Bachika and there is Aaharya.
Raimohan Parida remembers his teacher Bijay Mohanty
Actor Raimohan Parida, who has acted in films, theatres, television and jatra, remembered Bijay Mohanty, who was his teacher in Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. While he was a student in late ’80s, he also acted as a villain in many films opposite his teacher. “I was a student of Bijay Sir in 1985 and he taught me at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya till 1990. During that period, I also did some films with him. But after 1991, I played villain against him in a film that gave me name and fame in Odisha.
Sabyasachi Mishra recalls how Bijay Mohanty treated him like a son
Actor Sabyasachi Mishra is among those actors who have been active in the industry for the past 15 years. While paying his tribute to Bijay Mohanty he remembered how he has acted in 50 per cent of films in which Bijay has played his father’s role. “In 50 per cent of my films, we have worked as a father-son duo. During our long shooting schedules, he would treat everybody on the set as family members. We have, no doubt, lost a good artiste as well as a great human being,” said Sabya.
Siddhant Mohapatra would always follow lessons he learnt from Bijay Mohanty
Actor-turned-politician Siddhant Mohapatra paid his tribute to Bijay Mohanty today. He also recalled his more than 25 years of association with the late actor. He said that Bijay was such a person that anyone would be inspired by him to change the way they see life. “He was such a person that just by watching him one could be inspired. We have learnt a lot from him.
Uttam Mohanty remembers bygone days with elder brother, Bijay Mohanty
Veteran actor Uttam Mohanty visited the Utkal Sangeet Natak Mahavidyalaya to pay his tribute to the late actor Bijay Mohanty. Both of them hailed from Baripada and started their career at the same time. While Uttam started his acting in films, Bijay Mohanty did theatre and went to NSD. However, Uttam also acted in Bijay’s first film. “Both Bijay and I hail from Baripada. He started his career in theatre and went to NSD. In his first film, I got a chance to work with him.
Manoj Mishra pays tribute to another NSDian, Bijay Mohanty
Manoj Mishra, who is known for his versatile acting, has fond memories of Bijay Mohanty, who like Mishra was a graduate from National School of Drama (NSD). Bijay Mohanty was studying in NSD in the ’70s. Manoj recalled how the legendary actor was never referred to as an NSDian but loved his work. “He was a National School of Drama alumnus. But strangely he was never mentioned in the same bracket as other NSD or FTII pass outs.
Partha Sarathi Ray remembers how he was inspired by Bijay Mohanty
Actor Partha Sarathi Ray said that the demise of actor Bijay Mohanty was the saddest moment for Odia cinema. While paying his last respect to the actor at Utkal Sangeet Natak Mahavidyalaya, the actor recalled how he was inspired while watching his films since childhood. “It’s a sad moment for all of us – his fans and people from the fraternity – that Bijay sir is no more among us. He was always my favourite actor since childhood.
Anu Choudhury remembers Bijay Mohanty
Actress Anu Choudhruy paid tribute to late Bijay Mohanty and remembered the last time she met him in the hospital. The actress said that she was devastated to hear the demise of the legendary actor. “When I heard about his demise last evening, I was devastated. Few days ago, I had met him in the hospital and we talked about a lot of things. He cried holding my hands. To keep him upbeat, I sang and danced. He smiled and wanted to do films after recovering. But he couldn’t keep his words,’ recalled Anu.
Bijay Mohanty passes away
Veteran Odia actor Bijay Mohanty, who had been unwell for the past few months, passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar this evening. He was 70. He had suffered a heart attack in May while visiting his daughter in Hyderabad and was undergoing treatment there till his family shifted him to Bhubaneswar in June. He had since been discharged from hospital here, but his health deteriorated this evening.
Unlock 2.0 weddings: More practical concerns crop up amid cut down on pomp and show
The big, fat Indian wedding has lost its sheen post lockdown. With strict rules in place by the government to curb the spread of coronavirus, weddings are now small, family affairs. Replete with face masks, gloves and other hygiene protocols in place, the bride and groom’s families are ensuring limited number of guests and maintaining social distancing during the ceremony. Odisha is seeing a surge in the number of wedding ceremonies in the unlock 2.0 phase.
Odia TV and film industries brace for the 14-day total lockdown
The 14-day complete lockdown enforced by the state government in four Odisha districts from Thursday night has impacted life in the two major cities of the state — Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. And as a result, the film and television industries are at a loss about how to continue production work till the lockdown ends on July 31. Television serials, the shooting for which has been on since June, are going to be hit hard, as the next 14 days are filled with uncertainty.
Shooting SOP draws mixed reactions in Ollywood
Sandip.Bal@timesgroup.com The Odisha government on Monday issued the standard operating procedure (SOP) for shooting of films, TV serials and OTT content in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Though TV serial shoots had started in June, film crews are yet to go on the floors. In response to an Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) request, the office of the Special Relief Commission (SRC) laid down 26 guidelines in reply, covering all aspects of shoots.
Sivani Sangita learns music while waiting to resume shoot
Keywords: Sivani Sangita, actress, lockdown, unlock, films, Babu Bhaijaan, online, journalism and mass communication Actress Sivani Sangita left no stones unturned in pursuing her dream of learning music during the lockdown. Now in the unlock stage too, she is learning music as shooting for films is yet to resume. The Babu Bhaijaan actress said that this phase has given her a lot of time in sharpening her singing skills. “I always remain busy in my study and shooting for films.
Swaraj Barik was in town to dub for his next film
Keywords: Swaraj Barik, Dil Mora Manena, Tu Mo Love Story, lockdown, film, dubbing Actor Swaraj Barik finished dubbing for his upcoming film, Dil Mora Manena, as soon as the lockdown relaxed and intra state transports resumed. The Tu Mo Love Story actor is currently staying at his home town Baripada, where he is pursuing Master’s degree on Computer Science. Talking about the film, he said that it has been pending for a long time due to production issues.
Divya Mohanty waiting for theatres to open for her film’s release
Keywords: Divyadisha Mohanty, Covid-19, Prema ATM, Sundargarh Ra Salman Khan, Chumbak, Sudhanshu Sahu Actress Divyadisha Mohanty, who had last featured in two much-talked projects a few months ago, is waiting for theatres to open so that her film, Prema ATM, can release. However, she is skeptical that the scenario might not change in the near future as the number of Covid-19 cases is rising in the state day by day.
Odia celebs wish speedy recovery of Bachchans
Amitabh Bachchan's fans prayed for his speedy recovery after news started coming in the he was found Covid-19 along with son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya. Odia celebs also posted get well soon messages for the megastar. National award-winning filmmaker, Nila Madhab Panda, was the first to take to twitter for Bachchan senior after the superstar himself tweeted about him testing coronavirus positive last night. “Shocking to hear this.
Odisha’s netizens slam Ram Gopal Verma for his ignorance about the state
Keywords: Ram Gopal Verma, Anubhav Mohanty, Nila Madhab Panda, Apsara Rani, Odisha, Bollywood Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma has become the target of Odia netizens for his ill-intended tweets on Odisha. The director recently posted some pictures of Odia girl, Apsara Rani, who is working in his next project, Thriller, and mentioned that he got to know about Odisha after meeting the girl. He mentioned that he knew about Odisha earlier for the super cyclone in 1999.
Transgender community in Odisha to get pension
Keywords: transgender, Madhu Babu pension Yojana, Ashok Panda, Social security, pension The state government has announced to include the transgender community into the state’s monthly pension scheme of Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY). The social security and empowerment of persons with disability minister Ashok Panda made an announcement in this regard recently. “The eligible transgenders will get a monthly pension of Rs 500 to Rs 900 in accordance with age.
State government cancels Bolbum on Shravan Mondays
Keywords: Bolbum, Covid-19, coronavirus, Pradeep Jena, Special Relief Commissioner, Shravan, pandemic The state government has put a curb on the Bolbum activities this year keeping an eye on the surge in number of Covid-19 patients. On usual days, Bolbum devotees would carry water from rivers and walk for a long stretch to various Shiv temples on every Shravan Monday. In the recent years, it had become a fad, as more people were taking part in this religious activity.
Lord Jagannath and his siblings return to the temple
Keywords: Bahuda Yatra, Rath Yatra, Niladri Bije, Adhara pana, Jagannath temple After the nine-day sojourn in their birthplace at Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannath and his siblings returned to their abode inside the Jagannath temple on Saturday. They were carried into the temple through the ritual known as Niladri Bije. The ritual happened on Saturday afternoon without any devotees. The deities were taken inside through Goti pahandi, which means one after another.
Chandan Kar helps Ollywood stuntmen
Keywords: Chandan Kar, Ollywood, stuntman, lockdown, Covid-19 Actor Chandan Kar recently provided a month’s ration to 28 stuntmen working in the Odia film and television industries. He has been helping technicians of Ollywood, who have been facing problems making ends meet after shooting for films and television were cancelled due to the lockdown. Though television shooting has started, film shooting is yet to resume and these stuntmen, who are paid on a daily basis, are still without work.
#Unlock2.0: ASI-protected ‘non-living’ monuments all set to reopen in Odisha
Keywords: Archaeological Survey of India, Konark sun temple, Khandagiri hills, Udaygiri hills, Dhauli stupa The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is re-opening protected ‘non-living’ monuments in the state from July 7.
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