Veteran Odisha actor-director Hara Patnaik is no more

Odisha Sun Times Bureau:
Bhubaneswar, Jan 13:

Ollywood baddie and director Hara Patnaik, who ruled the hearts of cine lovers in Odisha for decades, breathed his last at a private hospital here this afternoon.

Hara Patnaik was admitted to the Sparsh Hospital here after the killer cancer relapsed. He had slipped into coma and eventually died today.

“We had released him from the hospital and sent him home last evening after realising that the end was near. But he was brought back to the hospital at 8.15 this morning after his condition deteriorated. He was admitted to the ICU where Dr Sujit Swain and his team tried their best, but could not save him. The end came at 12.40 pm today,” said Dr Ghanashyam Biswas of the Sparsh Hospital.

Dr Biswas said Patnaik’s condition had been deteriorating for the last one and a half years during which he spent most of his time in the hospital.

“He was not responding to treatment lately. So we had asked his family to nurse him at home as it is better to spend the last days at home,” he said.

The veteran actor, whose blood group was the rare -B, needed frequent doses of blood platelets in these one and a half years, he said.

The 55-year-old ace reel villain was undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore with an advanced stage of blood cancer detected in April 2008.

The body of Hara Patnaik has now been taken to his home in Cuttack where it will be kept till tomorrow for his fans and admirers to have their last darshan of the popular actor. He will be cremated tomorrow, family sources said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan condoled the death of Hara Patnaik.

After successfully battling blood cancer, Hara Patnaik, was back in moviedom with a bang. Om Sai Ram, was his first film since his recovery in 2012 hit the theatres.

As a director, he gave several upcoming actors their first break in cinema. Among those who made it big in Ollywood after getting a break under him are megastars Aanubhav Mohanty, Babusan and Sabyasachi.

‘‘This is an irreparable loss to the Odisha film fraternity. He has directed many marvellous movies: Daiba Daudi, Thank You Bhagwan, I love You and many more. As an actor and director, he has left his indelible mark on everybody,’’ Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda said.

A pall of gloom descended in the state as well as movie fraternity after the shocking news broke.

‘‘He was an unmatched director and actor. He started his career from Shatabdi Ra Kalakar.  He said he would continue to act till his last. He was keen on publishing a book, a desire that unfortunately remained unfulfilled. I will publish a book on his articles and pieces published in newspapers and magazines,’’ theatre artist, director and newscaster Dhira Mallik said.

‘‘He was one year senior to me at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. He was a unique personality. He has not lost the battle with cancer, he has defeated us,’ veteran theatre and Ollywood actor Ashrumochan Mohanty said.

‘‘From the beginning of my career, I was associated with Hara bhai as an actor as well as a director. His loss is irreparable. We are deeply saddened by this,’’ actor-turned politician Siddhant Mohapatra said.

‘‘This is a difficult time for the industry. The year 2014 was a bad time for us as we lost quite a few actors. Today, we lost a big brother. He cannot be evaluated as an actor or a director, he was a supreme soul. It is not the right age to depart. We are deeply saddened. May lord Jagannath give strength to his bereaved family to cope with the loss,’’ Ollywood actor Kuna Tripathy said.

“It would remain one of my abiding regrets that I did not get an opprtunity to work with him. But whenever I met him, he has blessed me. And his blessings mean a lot to me. He was a role model for all upcoming actors and mentored them,” said top Ollywood heroine Archita.

Filmography:

Born on 12, October 1958 in Cuttack, the versatile actor, director and screenplay writer directed 20 movies: Om Sai Ram (2012), Ae Jugara Krushna Sudama (2007), Pagal Premi(2007),Thank You Bhagban (2006), Prathama Prema (2005), I Love You (2005), Arjun (2005), Barsa My Darling (2004), Rakta Sindoora (2003), Kalki Abatar (2002), Paradesi Babu (1999), Nari Bi Pindhipare Rakta Sindur (1997), Ganga Jamuna(1997), Suhaga Sindura (1996), Yashoda (1996), Pua Mora Bhola Shankar(1996), Bhagya Hate Dori (1993), Kapala Likhana (1991), Daiba Daudi (1990) and Chaka Dola Karuchi Leela (1990).

As an actor, he has acted in scores of movies: Omm Sai Ram (2012), To Akhire Mun (2010), Kurukshetra (2009), Chaati Chiri Dele Tu.. (2008), Pagal Premi (2007), Thank You Bhagban (2006), Agni Parikshya (2005), Arjun (2005), Barsa My Darling (2004), Sathire (2004), Je Panche Parara Manda (2003), Sindura Nuhein Khela Ghara (2002), Dharma Debata (2001), Mo Kola To Jhulana (2001), Kala Chakra (1999), Kalki Abataar (1999), Katha Kahiba Mo Matha Sindoor (1999), Paradesi Babu (1999), Aie Sangharsha (1998), Sahara Jaluchi (1998), Stree (1998), Ganga Jamuna (1997), Nari Bi Pindhipare Rakta Sindura (1997), Ram Laxman (1997), Suhaga Sindura (1996), Rakhile Siba Mariba Kie (1994), Baadshah (1992), Ghara Mora Swarga (1992), Kapala Likhana (1991), Daiba Daudi (1990), Asuchi Mo Kalia Suna (1989), Jahaku Rakhibe Ananta (1988), Chaka Aakhi Sabu Dekhuchi (1987), Suna Chadhei (1987), Jor Jaar Mulak Tar (1986) and Sahari Bagha (1985).