Anubhav Mohanty is the best thing to have happened to Ollywood in years. Acting comes naturally to him and his repertoire consists of flicks of varied genres.
The pre-eminent star, who captured the collective imagination of the Gen- Next audience reeling out powerful performance with equal elan both in the roles of hero and anti-hero, is unplugged.
He strides the Odia film industry like a colossus, a star nonpareil, delivering hits after hits.
Only last week, Anubhav’s Something Something - one of the much- discussed movie of Ollywood this year - opened to full houses.
Considered the most bankable actor of Ollywood today, the movie also marked Anubhav’s successful debut as a producer and story writer. The actor, who turned into an icon after his first film I Love You (2005) broke all box-office records, has again roped in director Sudhakar Basant and actress Barsha Priyadarshini to recreate the magic of his last release Balunga Toka.
In a tete-a-tete with Diana Sahu, Anubhav talks about his upcoming projects, production house, hobbies, life and how he juggles his different hats with poise. Excerpts from an interview.
Producer’s Hat
Wearing the producer’s hat is a completely new and different experience for me.
I love being an actor, but I also commit to be a maker of good films for Odia movie buffs. It does not really mean that my production house Vishnupriyaa Arts and Graphics will only feature me. We are also looking forward to making good movies with other up-andcoming actors in the industry.
As far as Something Something is concerned, it is an out-and-out love story which at the same time upholds family values. I am thankful to my audience for the rave reviews so far.
Story Writing
I always had a passion for writing. Prior to Something Something, I had penned down stories on subjects like sports scenario in Odisha and the ‘Paika Vidroha’ which I would like to develop into movies someday.
Since these would be big budget movies, I am waiting for the right producers.
Competitors in Industry
Fortunately, I have made more friends than competitors in this industry. I feel every actor in Ollywood today is unique in his own way and there should be no comparison with anyone.
They have respected me as an actor and I do the same.
New Roles
I shoot one film at a time so that I can get into the skin of the character. I want to do challenging and wellwritten roles. Sadly, such roles do not come your way often (laughs). The script has to be convincing enough for me to accept it.
Upcoming Films
I was so much into pre and post production works of Something Something that I could not think of any other movie. But I am looking into scripts now. I have 8 to 10 offers from Raja release and 15 to 16 for Durga Puja release. I am also planning for the next movie under my production house which will have a worldwide release.
Ollywood’s Future
We are coming out with very good movies today but what we need on an urgent basis is good theatres.
Filmmakers are spending so much in creating good superior quality movies but if the projection is not good, there is no use.
Every block should get one theatre each for Ollywood to reach new heights.