Versatile, guiding light, affable: Ollywood remembers the Titan

IN Uttam Mohanty's passing, the Odia film industry has lost one of its most endearing icons.

- DIANA SAHU @ Bhubaneswar

IN Uttam Mohanty's passing, the Odia film industry has lost one of its most endearing icons. For members of the industry, he was not just a versatile actor who guaranteed success but also a friend always ready to help, and a gracious mentor to the younger crop.

His co-actor in many of the hits Mahesweta Ray was inconsolable as the mortal remains were consigned to flames. Ray and Mohanty acted together in more than 20 films during the 70s and 80s. But for her, Mohanty was beyond just a co-actor. He was first a dearest friend and then family (his wife and actor Aparajita being her first cousin).