Odia actor Mihir Das dies at 63, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik pays tribute: ‘It’s an irreparable loss’

Veteran Odia actor Mihir Das died at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, at the age of 63 on Tuesday, his family said. He was suffering from renal ailments for years, and he was admitted to the private hospital on December 9 last year and was on ventilator support.

Born in Mayurbhanj district on February 11, 1959, he made his debut in the art film School Master, and first acted in a commercial movie in Mathura Bijay in 1979.

The versatile actor had won the state government’s best actor award for his performance in Laxmi Pratima (1998), and Pheria Mo Suna Bhauni (2005). He had won the best comedian award for his role in Mu Tate Love Karuchhi (2007). His acting in Pua Mora Bholashankara will always be remembered, his co-worker Bapu Lenka said.

Mihir was a popular anchor for hosting the reality show Ashara Aloka.

The actor had also tried his luck in politics. In 2014, he had joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal, but quit the party and later joined the BJP in 2019. Odisha governor Ganeshi Lal, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart B B Harichandan, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik, BJP state chief Samir Mohanty, and people from different walks of life condoled the popular actor’s death.

“Saddened over the demise of veteran actor Mihir Das. His indelible footprints in Odisha’s art world will remain alive. It’s an irreparable loss for the Odia cine world. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family,” Naveen Patnaik tweeted.

BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda said in a Twitter post, “I am crestfallen hearing the news. It is an end of an era. Mihir Das was a household name in Odisha and he was known for his sharp acting skills. I extend my deepest sympathies for the grieving family.”