Cuttack: The mortal remains of legendary actor Mihir Das were consigned to flames at Sati Chaura crematorium in Cuttack city on Wednesday.
Actors, actresses, friends, relatives and common people who love Mihir thronged his residence ‘Meetha Mahal’ at CDA Sector VIII in Cuttack city to pay their last tribute to the departed soul.
Thereafter his mortal remains in a flower bedecked hearse were taken in a grand procession to his ancestral house at Nuagarh before taking to Sati Chaura crematorium. At the crematorium, a guard of honour was accorded before consigning the actor’s mortal remains to the flames. His son Amlan lit the funeral pyre.
Braving the inclement weather conditions as it was drizzling since morning, hundreds of the actor’s fans came out, thronged at both sides of the road which leads to the crematorium to bid a tearful adieu to their favourite actor.
The actor was suffering from kidney related problems. On December 7, 2021, he had to be rushed to a private hospital in Cuttack after he complained of not feeling well. He remained on ventilator support. He breathed his last at 3:25 pm on January 11.
He was 63.
As the news broke, a pall of gloom descended over the Odia film industry. Condolence messages started pouring from different quarters, starting from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Social media platforms were also flooded with condolence messages from his fans who mourned the passing away of their favourite actor.
He had his tryst with acting when he was a student of Class V. He portrayed a landlord’s character in a play titled ‘Manikanchana’. At the time when he was a student of Ravenshaw College, noted film maker of that time Govind Tej offered him an opportunity to work in film ‘Ramayana’. Always looking for a chance to set his foot down in film industry, Mihir readily accepted the offer and did Shatrughna’s role. Then the offer to act as a co-star in ‘School Master’ came on his way. Thereafter, there was no looking back for this versatile actor, who in his career spanning over four decades gave a number of hits.
For his stellar performance in film ‘Pua Mora Bhola Shankara’, he bagged best actor Odisha State Film Award. He also won best actor award for films ‘Bidhata’, ‘Pheri Aa Mo Suna Bhauni’ and ‘Bhija Matira Swarga’.
He acted over 200 films and it is difficult to pick out the best ones. However he will be remembered for films like ‘Laxmi Pratima’, ‘Rakhi Bandhili Mo Rakhiba Mana’, ‘Bhai Hela Bhagari’, ‘Suhaga Sindura’, ‘Abhimanyu’ and ‘Dhauli Express’, and the list goes on.
His wife Sangita Das, a crooner, who was daughter of well known singer Chitta Jena, had predeceased him. She died due to a heart attack in 2010.
The actor is survived by his son Amlan, who is also an Ollywood actor and his daughter-in-law.
May the departed soul rest in peace in heavenly abode.
