BHUBANESWAR: Young and acclaimed actor Samaresh Routray, a product of the National School of Drama (NSD), has created an identity of his own in the Oriya film industry in a short span. After a Bollywood debut and experience of working with distinguished theatre directors in Delhi, Samaresh has come a long way in his journey of histrionics.
The critically acclaimed and State Film Award winner Dhauli Express and Mukhyamantri established him as an actor of substance. His performances in films like Sanju O Sanjana, Ae Mana Khoje Manatiye, Jibanata Eka Sangram and Bhool Bujhibani Mote speak volumes about the the actor’s talent. Samaresh has also made his presence felt in the small screen with popular television serials Uttardayee, Sanskaar, Khara Barsara Khela, Basundhara and Debi.
Success, however, did not greet Samaresh without his share of trials and tribulations. A career in acting was never considered the right choice by the family members. But he could not resist his heart’s calling and dabbled passionately in dancing as a student of Sahid Nagar High School. “Michael Jackson was our role model then,” beams the actor. And it was dancing that landed him in the drama department of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya (USM) in Bhubaneswar, as a student.
After graduating, he joined NSD that gave him the much needed exposure to the world of theatre. “I had the fortune of participating in about 20 plays under veterans like John Russel Brown, Tripurari Sharma, MK Raina, Robin Das, Ram Gopal Bajaj, K.N.Panikar, Kirti Jain and Baba Karanth,” he acknowledges with gratitude. Training in theatre could be the best bet for a successful career in cinema, feels the actor whose role model has been Naseeruddin Shah.
Having an eye on Bollywood, Samaresh landed in Mumbai. “I had my fair share of struggle there till I got the much awaited break with the Hindi film 23rd March 1931 Saheed Bhagat Singh in 2002. In Mumbai, I worked as an executive producer and programme coordinator for Sanskar television channel and as an associate executive producer in Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms for the serial Kusum”, says the actor who also played a variety of roles in Hindi television serials Daman, Akrant, Kabhi Bibi Kabhi Jasoos, Call Now and a few more.
Ollywood beckoned Samaresh. “I am sentimentally attached to Bhubaneswar where I was born and brought up. It was difficult for me to stay away from my homeland for long. So I thought of a career here”, confessed the actor who made his debut in Oriya film industry with Mo Suna Pua.
Is he being typecast in negative roles? “Acting matters most to me than the characters. And I have no attitude problem. I am willing to don any role if it excites me. In fact, I am looking for a comic character for long and I thoroughly enjoy acting in negative characters,” explains the much sought after actor who has added a new feather to his cap by forming the Oriya Television Actors Association to foster fraternity among the artistes.
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