Bhubaneswar: Amid a palpable controversy over the screening of two Odia films gradually intensifying with every passing day, actor Arindam Roy today invited Manoj Mishra for an amicable settlement.

Arindam requested Manoj to forget the controversies that erupted in the past days and work together for a better future. Politicising the things has been damaging the Odia film industry, he stated.

In a press conference, Arindam said, “If we two brothers unite, we can resolve all disputes.”

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

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

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.