BHUBANESWAR: Noted Odia film actor Minaketan Das passed away at his residence at Hanspal here on Friday night after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 56.
As the news of his demise broke out, social media was flooded with condolences from well-wishers, stalwarts of the Odia film industry and political leaders. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the death on Twitter.
“Saddened to learn of the demise of actor Minaketan Das. It is a great loss for Odia film industry. My thoughts and prayers with his family,” Naveen wrote on Twitter. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted: “Heartfelt condolences to friends and family of Ollywood ‘bad man’ Minaketan Das, an actor who won many hearts but lost his fight against cancer.”
Born in Dumka village of Marsaghai block, Minaketan shifted to Bhubaneswar after completing his graduation in Kendrapara college.
He enrolled into the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyala where he received training on stage acting. An acclaimed stage artist, Minaketan stepped into the Ollywood with ‘Ganga Siuli’ in 1998. After the film turned a box office hit, he bagged a number of offers from the film industry.
Minaketan is known for playing negative characters and has given powerful performances in movies like ‘Balunga Toka’, ‘Jianta Bhuta’ and ‘Most Wanted’.
A prolific actor of ‘Jatra’ industry, Minaketan was known for his skills to render life to the character which he portrayed.
Minaketan was admitted to Mumbai-based Asian Cancer Institute after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which was detected in the terminal stage. He was brought back to the city where he was being treated at a private hospital.
After his condition worsened, the doctors advised his family to shift him back home. Minaketan breathed his last at 3 am on Saturday. He is survived by his wife and daughter who is married.
Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda, MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, Mayor AN Jena and actors Aparajita, Siddhant Mohapatra, Mihir Das, Ajit Das and others were present at Minaketan’s residence to console the bereaved family.