About

Uttam Mohanty is an Indian Odia film and television actor who has acted in more than 135 Odia films to date and has acted in 30 Bengali films and in a Hindi film ‘NayaZeher’. Uttam Mohanty was born and brought up in Baripada, Odisha. He completed his early education from M.K.C Highschool. After matriculation he joined Maharaja Purna Candra College, Baripada for his intermediate and bachelor's in science. During his college days he was inclined more towards acting. He always tried to play the lead part in dramas. Mr. Mohanty was especially adored for his effortless naturalism in front of the camera and a distinctively urbane charisma that broke free from the prototypical Odia screen hero of the past. He went on to form successful screen pairs with many leading ladies like Rita Chand, Sujata Ananda, Tandra Roy, Mahasweta Ray, Deepa Sahu, SubhraPati, Aparajeeta, Baisali, Sangeeta Das even Rachana Benerjee and other non-Odia actress. Often hailed as the one-man industry, Uttam Mohanty dominated Odia cinema for three decades. The 1980s were the pinnacle of his career. Many Ollywood films of 1980 had Uttam Mohanty in them, and he dominated the Odia film industry. He excelled in various roles: Romantic, Village Lad, Character. Abhiman, DandaBalunga, Bhakta Salabega are even remembered today for his stupendous acting. He also worked in around 30 Bengali films and one Hindi film - Naya Jahar, opposite Satabdi Roy. Uttam Mohanty is the only star in the Odia cinema horizon to have been at the top for nearly two decades, dominating the Odia film industry throughout the 80's and 90's. His rural fan base led him to do many films which had rustic story lines and from which intellectuals shied away. Many critics and fellow actors and seniors have often expressed in public podium that during the commercially dry days of early nineties of Odia cinema, when the Odia film industry was under heavy financial stress, it was Uttam Mohanty's efforts and charm which saved the day. He is in demand among off-mainstream filmmakers as well. He has won many Odia filmfare awards and prizes as a best actor. A number of societies and institutes have honored him as a living legend of Ollywood cinema.