I Don’t Think I Can Ever Call Myself Successful, Says Actor Mihir Das

I Don’t Think I Can Ever Call Myself Successful, Says Actor Mihir Das

Talk of versatile actors in Ollywood and Mihir Das sets the benchmark. A powerhouse of talent, Das knows how to get into the skin of a character, literally. Be it romance, comedy, negative portrayals or just lending support to a film with his presence, he excels in all.The audience have loved him in all avatars; his innocent role in ‘Pua Mora Bhola Shankara’, negative shade in ‘Abhimanyu’, comic timing in ‘Je Panche Para Manda’ or the loving dad he has portrayed with aplomb in innumerable films.

Recipient of several awards including Best Actor for Laxmi Pratima in 1998, Pheria Mo Suna Bhauni in 2005, Best Supporting Actor for Rakhi Bandhili Mo Rakhiba Mana in 2002 and Prema Adhei Akhyara in 2010, the 65-year-old actor has worked in more than 150 films and continues to act with the same zeal in addition to being an active member of BJP.

As part of the series, ‘Legends of Ollywood’, My City Links caught up with the veteran actor for an exclusive chat. Here are the excerpts

Did you aspire to become an actor since childhood?

I was attracted to plays and dramas since my young days. When I joined Ravenshaw University, I developed an inclination towards acting after meeting Hemanta Das. I also did several dramas for All India Radio. But I specifically remember our rehearsals at a nearby culvert for the AIR dramas which had a strong impact on me. While pursuing IA, I was selected to play the role of a father to senior students in a renowned play called ‘All My Sons’. It got me recognition and I was awarded by Govind Tej who was the judge at the competition. He later approached me for the role of Satrughna in his first film Ramayana. But I came to limelight with another film of his called ‘School Master’ in which I played his son. My journey into the world of acting began quite abruptly and to this day I feel as if it has all begun right now!

If not an actor, what do you think you would have become?

If not an actor, I think I would have been an advocate since an astrologer had predicted the same for me. Some of my well wishers had also suggested that I become a lawyer.

What, in your opinion, is responsible for the downfall of Ollywood?

We love ourselves less and hence, don’t appreciate Odia art and culture. People tend to focus more on Vote and Note (money) instead of development. We need to raise the stature of our art and culture. I strongly believe the state government is responsible for Odia cinema’s downfall. We had high hopes from our film fraternity members who are a part of the government. However, they seem to have failed in generating enough impetus for Odia cinema. The government, too, doesn’t see any profit generation from Ollywood even when states like Maharashtra and Gujarat strengthened their respective film industries with new government policies. The filmmakers, too, are equally responsible since there is no classification of a filmmaker in our industry yet. Anybody becomes a director, producer or an actor without any prior experience or training and claims to be a part of the industry. That has led to degraded quality of films in spite of technological advancement and multiple options for artists. Sub-standard content doesn’t attract audiences.

Please share any special incident with a fan you cherish.

Once while returning from Sukinda after a program, an old lady came up to me and said, “Please, be born as my son in your next birth.” I was so touched with her words that I replied, “I already am your son in this birth.” I can never forget such moments with fans.

Which character of yours is closest to your heart? What, according to you, is the formula of your success?

I am not really in sync with all that I have done as an actor. I believe whichever character of mine my audience loves the most is my best performance. I consider myself unsuccessful and don’t know if I can ever call myself successful. The future is a mystery and we all work as per the Almighty’s desires. I am unable to appreciate my performances even today. I always feel something is amiss.

You are now a member of BJP. What led you to join politics?

In my opinion, there is always great pleasure in serving people. I have joined politics with the wish to spread the love I have received from people. I’d want to be remembered for my good deeds even after I die.What will be your advice to aspiring actors?

You should have the eagerness to fight with fire and enjoy the struggles. Success will come to you, for sure. If it doesn’t, don’t blame the fire for it.