Veteran actor Mihir Das, who worked in the Odia film industry, died at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha on Tuesday. He was 64.
The award-winning actor had reportedly been dealing with renal ailments for years. He was admitted to a private hospital on Sunday, where he was put on ventilator support before being declared dead.
Born on February 11, 1959, in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, Das had a career spanning four decades during which he starred in over 150 films. He made his first appearance as an actor in an art film titled School Master and later made his commercial cinema debut with Mathura Bijay in 1979.
Das bagged the Odisha government’s best actor award for his performances in Laxmi Pratima (1998) and Pheria Mo Suna Bhauni (2005). Known for his versatile acting, Das also won the best comedian award for his work in Mu Tate Love Karuchhi (2007). He has starred in comic, lead, and supporting roles over the course of his career.
The actor also ventured into politics and joined the Biju Janata Dal party led by the chief minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, in 2014. However, he later left that party and joined the BJP in 2019.
Several prominent personalities condoled the death of the actor on social media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Saddened by the demise of noted Odia actor Shri Mihir Das Ji. During his long film career, he won many hearts thanks to his creative performances. My thoughts are with his family and admirers.”
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik tweeted in Odia, “I am saddened to learn of the death of veteran actor Mihir Das. The impression he left behind in the Odia art world will forever immortalize him. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Odia art world. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wish them well.”
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Sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik shared his sand art of the late actor and condoled his death on Twitter. “Deeply saddened to know about the unfortunate demise of legendary Odia actor Mihir Das. His contribution to Odia cinema is immense,” he wrote.
The mortal remains of the actor were taken to Satichaura crematorium in Cuttack, where his last rites were conducted. The actor was cremated with full state honours, including a ceremonial guard.
Das was married to the late singer and artist Sangita Das, who died in 2010 of a heart attack. He is survived by his son, actor Amlan Das.