Veteran Odia film actress Anita Das died of cardiac arrest at her residence near Shelter Chhak in Cuttack city on Friday (May 11). She was 64.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled her death and said Anita Das will be remembered for her immense contribution to Odia film and TV industry.
Calling her a “like a younger sister”, Patnaik said: “She will live forever for her contribution to the Odia film industry.”
Odia film critic Surya Deo also paid his tribute to the veteran actress by posting a short bibliography of her acting career on Facebook.
Here are 12 things to know about veteran Odia actress Anita Das:
1. Anita Das was born on Oct 1, 1951 in Jajpur town of Odisha. They were eight siblings – six sisters and two brothers. Anita was the fifth born.
2. Her father Banamali Das was a freedom fighter.
3. After her schooling at Sashibhusan Girls’ High School at Jajpur Road, she completed her pre-university at Sailabala Women’s College in Cuttack. She graduated from Vasyanagar College at Jajpur Road.
4. Anita Das was passionate about acting since her childhood and had her father’s support in pursuing her dream.
5. She was a trained Odissi dancer. During her school days, she was trained in dancing at Amulya Krushna Kala Niketan at Jajpur. Later, when at Sailabala Women’s College, she joined Kala Vikash Kendra.
6. Best known for her restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions, Anita Das got her break in films with “Jajabara” (1975). Odia singer-writer Akshaya Mohanty, actor-director Hemant Das, and screenwriter Bijay Mishra played her mentors.
7. She bagged her second film “Krusna Sudama” (1976), where she was paired with veteran Odia actor Gobind Tej.
8. In a career spanning more than 40 years, the veteran actress had acted in over 100 films.
9. Some of her prominent films were Bandhu Mahanty, Naga Phasa, Tapoi, Sankha Mahuri, Sautuni, Samar Salim Saimon, Mathura Vijay, Alibha Daga, Tapasya, Ram Balram, Maa O Mamata, Akshi Tritiya, and Swapna Sagara.
10. The turning point of her career was Pua Mora Kala Thakura (1988).
11. The versatile Odia actress shifted from playing female leads to mother roles in the 1980s.
12. A spinster, Anita Das will be remembered for her ever smiling and affectionate nature.
Anita Das pic credit: Facebook Surya Deo