Bijay Mohanty

Early life

Mohanty was born in 1950 at Pandiri, Kendrapara and brought up in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa.[2] 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.

Married life

Bijay 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.

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 (1981), Mamata Mage Mula (1985), Aei Aama Sansara (1986), Aama Ghara Aama Sansara (1991), Ki Heba Sua Posile, Bhisma Pratigya (1993), Bhai Hela Bhagari (1994), Suna Panjuri, Laxman Rekha, Rakhi Bhijigala Akhi Luhare and I Love My India.

He also directed the movie Bhuli Huena.[3]

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.

Mohanty 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.[4][5]

Mohanty died in Care Hospital at the age of 70 on 20 July 2020 evening in Bhubaneswar.[6] He was rushed to Care Hospitals after his condition became critical in the evening. He, however, died while undergoing treatment.[7]

• Jayadev Award - 2014 (Odisha State Film Awards).[8]
• He was honoured with National Award for his contribution to art and literature.
• Won the Odisha State Film Awards six times for Arati (1981), Mamata Mage Mula (1985), Ei Aam Sansara (1986), Aam Ghara Aam Sansara (1991), Bhisma Pratingya (1993) and Bhai Hela Bhagari (1994).
• Orissa Cine Critics Award in 1987 for "Best Actor of the Decade".

• Bijay Mohanty at IMDb