I always want to remain like this only and wish to be remembered as a good actor. I drive without helmet on city roads, and wear a smile for everyone. Where do you want to see Papu Pom Pom 10 years down the line? I would love to drink tea at my teashop at my gali's end. I am a dreamer and pursue my dreams till they are fulfilled. What is your biggest strength? My biggest strength is my confidence. Moreover, there is something to learn from every character. We all see them but never give them much importance.
Who has been your inspiration in this journey? Life itself is my biggest inspiration, because most of my characters are from the society we see around us. What is the best compliment you have received so far? A retired school headmaster recently told me 'You remind me the popular column 'Jhitipithi Kahe' by Harekrushna Mahatab. Even a Javed Akhtar writes a song like 'Darde disco'. The medium of film has changed with time. I will change the taste of Odia audience and have decided to make films on classic Odia stories like 'Nila Mastrani' and 'Rebati', but with a contemporary touch. What do you think should be done to improve the situation? Producers are ready to invest, but we don't have cinema halls to run them. At present, Odia film industry has lost its sheen as most of the films are remakes of other regional films. I cannot say much about the film but I can ensure it would be an 'original' film and not a 'copy-paste'. What will be your next project after Rangeela Toka ? My next film will be released in January. The film released and shut the mouth of all critics. I took extra care and personally looked over everything starting from cast and crew to extras, story, script, music, lyrics.
But my producer, Pravas Chandra Rout, had shown full faith in me and agreed to do the mega project. Did the fear of failure as a hero ever haunt you before release of 'Rangeela toka'? When I announced the project, many raised eyebrows, criticized the move or laughed at me. Even after weeks, ' Rangeela Toka ' is running houseful shows. My work in the film was lauded by many, which gave me a confidence to take the risk of becoming the first comedian in a lead roll. From a comedian in films to a lead role in 'Rangila Toka', was it a risk you deliberately took or a confident decision? Actually my previous film, "Balunga Toka", in which I had a meaty role beside alongside Anubhab, was a super duper hit. For my colloquial language, many laughed at me, but when I tried to speak refined Odia, that sounded even more hilarious. People liked my style of presentation as they think me as one of them. I got to play cameos in many films, but these did not give me satisfaction, so I decided to do selected films. Film makers started giving less importance to comic roles and scripts were lacking new ideas to provide a comic relief to the audiences. When and how did you choose to switch to comedy? A: I feel after "Jayee Bhai", there was a dearth of comedians in Odia film industry. So far I have played 318 characters in one serial, which is a record in itself. These made me a household name in the state. Comedy programmes like "Excuse me please!", "Jaha Kahibi Sata Kahibi" and "Phaltu Katha" are most popular shows on television. How has the journey been in television so far? Television has made me what I am today. Then I decided to shift to FM radio and television. Unskilled people dominated the industry and talented artists could not survive. But then music industry passed through a bad phase. Do you think you have succeeded as a music director? I have directed 50 to 60 albums and worked as director, lyricist and singer. I struggled at first, but slowly I found my place and tasted success. He suggested me to go for a career in music industry rather than acting, as there is tough competition.
I first tried my luck in Odia film in 2007 and stayed near the residence of film star Uttam Mohanty. Tell us about your early days in the industry. Right from my childhood, I knew I had to choose a career in the film industry. Why did you choose acting as your career? I belong to a family of artistes.