A techie turned actor, he is the hot favourite of the Oriya industry at the moment. Meet Sabyasachi, the winner of numerous awards including the prestigious State award for his amazing performance in Pagal Premi and who has eight movies to his credit in a span of just one and a-half years.
It was drama and dance performances at the Unit I Boys’ High School where he studied that attracted Sabyasachi to acting. But without any film background in the family, he never expected to enter the industry. However, with all the support from parents, he had dropped in a portfolio at Madhyam Arts and soon got an offer in Saroj Satapathy’s album in 2002.
Sabyasachi continued his engineering at Silicon Institute of Engineering and Technology (SIET) and graduated in 2006. But soon his life changed. Godfather to many in the industry, the veteran Hara Patnaik spotted him at a stage show and immediately offered Pagal Premi. ‘‘The premiere of Pagal Premi will remain the happiest moment of my life. Of course winning so many awards feels great. I really feel I’m lucky,’’ says the humble, down-to-earth actor.
Still working as an engineer at Bhubaneswar based STPI, he manages time for acting on offs. ‘‘Our film industry is like a huge family. Veteran actors and directors are always helpful to upcoming hardworking artistes. Seniors like Hara Patnaik, Sanjay Naik, Mihir Das, Aparajita Mohanty, etc. are really cooperative,’’ he adds. Already doing great in Dream Girl, he is soon to rule again with latest project, Pagal Karichi Paunji Tora.
A music lover, Sabyasachi has a collection of musical instruments and is professionally trained in singing too. Managing websites like Fullorissa.com and making new ones for upcoming Oriya movies, not necessarily his, is his passion. ‘‘I want to promote the Oriya industry and wish it get backs to its golden period,’’ he adds. Married recently, he is happily settled with wife Seema, a lecturer at SIET.
DEBUTANTE PLAYBACK singer Sulagna Nanda now holds an enviable distinction. The aspiring artiste has just been awarded the State Film Award for 2007 as the best female playback singer for Rakate Lekhichi Naa. A manager at the Big Bazar in Bhubaneswar, Sulagna has had the fortune of singing with stalwarts like Suresh Wadekar and Anup Jalota. Being trained as a Hindustani classical vocalist under Guru Uma Charan Das, she is an accomplished AIR artiste for the Yuva Vani (youth programme) and has already been winner of the Banichitra Award, Chalachitra Jagat Award and the Om Shri Awards as the best female playback singer. Her next major assignment has been with the Oriya mega television serial Shri Jagannath under the direction of Manmath Mishra. Here she is in conversation with Shyamhari Chakra.
How was the beginning? How did you get interested in music? Was it spontaneous or you were inspired by someone? I believe music has been in my in my genes. My father and his sister were into music and hence it was natural for me to develop an interest. As I grew up, the interest too transformed into a passion. Fortunately for me, my family and well-wishers have always been inspiring to pursue a career in music.
But you studied MBA. Why not music? It was a conscious choice and a rational one as well. I don’t think I could have led a decent life with music as a profession in Orissa. I am into marketing and I understand the market better. Study of MBA has really helped me a lot to design my life. It has helped me to discover my potential as an individual. Music has been and will continue to be an intimate passion and I am confident that I will be able to pursue it without having it as a profession.
So you feel the Oriya music scene does not encourage aspiring singers.
I am sorry to say that the Oriya music industry, the film music in particular, is on the wrong tracks. Our producers and directors should have faith on their own local talents. They should promote Oriya singers instead of spending huge money on Bollywood singers. It has been proved that some of the local talents are in no way less talented than the imported ones. Then why should we be paid less than them? It’s high time we, as an industry, changed our attitude and the scenario in our favour. Then only someone like me can make music a full-time career.
How did you get a break in films? I guess I am blessed. Both the films for which I have rendered my voice were offered to me simultaneously. First it was music director Swaroop Nayak who offered me Ae Mana Manena and before I finished the project Manmath Mishra selected me for Rakate Lekhichi Naa.
What do you like to sing? I love all kinds of light songs but my first preference has always been the Geet Govindam. Whenever I sit for my riyaz, I start with a song from the Geet Govind. I feel it makes my voice better and pronunciation clear.