Bargarh: Amid a palpable controversy over the screening of two Odia films gradually intensifying with every passing day, Padma Shri Haldhar Nag came out today in support of banned actor Manoj Mishra.

The eminent poet said, “If Sambalpuri and Koshali films are being boycotted there (in Coastal districts), then we should also boycott Odia films here (in Western Odisha). It is something straight and appropriate. Whatever Narasingha Mishra (senior Congress leader) said is very much logical.”

“If they will show a stepmotherly attitude, then why should we try to appease them,” Nag reacted.

“We should behave in the same manner as they do,” the Padma Shri awardee concluded.

On the other hand, many people and organisations from Western Odisha are coming forward in support of Manoj. They insist on immediate lifting of the so-called ban on the NSD-passed out actor.

Worth mentioning, Manoj apprehended a threat to his life from producer Sanjay Nayak aka Tutu, the NSD alumnus alleged in a presser held a couple of days ago.

Clarifying his stand over the controversy, Manoj said, “I have not yet received any letter regarding any ban imposed on me but a man called Tutu Nayak recently gave a byte in media that he has banned me. However, I declare before you all that I boycott him and will not work in any of the films produced by him throughout my life. You ask him why he has hatched plans to personally attack me.”

“The people of Odisha want Odia films should reach out to the national level and the world at large. My efforts in the past few days have been to bring their desires to the forefront. However, a few people who do not have a love for Odia films did not appreciate my drive. They interpreted my efforts to be my ego and said that I am on a move to divide the actor fraternity in our industry,” Manoj stated.

“If we can make Kannada films like ‘Kantara’ a big hit in Odisha, why can’t we make our own Odia films successful in the State and in the country as well? Why our films would not be shown in the theatres of states like Karnataka and Kerala? If I am saying this, where I am wrong?” the actor questioned.