A National School of Drama pass-out, he started his stint with the Oriya film industry with Chilika Tire. He joined the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in 1977 after which films just became his way of life and passion. The actor’s first release and first claim to fame was Naga Phasa – a superhit which established him as an actor, but in a negative role.
Thereafter, negative roles followed in films like Bipasha, Pati Patni, Sautuni, Samay Bada Balwan, Danda Balunga, Sahari Bagha, Chaka Bhaunri and Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi. Back in Baripada from where he hails, Mohanty had formed a drama troupe Jugechha, which was a well-known troupe and staged play in different parts of Orissa as well as the country.
He is also a retired professor at the drama department of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Mohanty is probably the only actor in the modern day who has tried his hand in all types of roles – hero, villian, comedian, character role and others. Some of his films as a character artist include Ki Heba Sua Posile, Bhisma Pratigya, Bhai Hela Bhagari, Suna Panjuri, Laxman Rekha and Rakhi Bhijigala Akhi Luhare. One cannot forget his serials in the small screen where he has been immensely popular. Some of these serials aired on Doordarshan include Asara Aloka, Sri Jagannath, Subhadra, Sara Akasa, Samaya Chaka, Sakalara Apekhya Re, Nadekhile Loka Dekhe, Mahayagyan and Bidhatara Khela.
Incidentally, he had also tried his hand in direction with the movie Bhuli Hue Na. The versatile actor won the State Film Awards six times for films like Arati (1981), Mamata Mage Mula (1985), Aei Aam Sansara (1986), Aam Ghara Aam Sansara (1991), Bhisma Pratgya (1993), Bhai Hela Bhagari (1994), besides getting the Orissa Cine Critics Award in 1987 for best actor of the decade. “Now I have a couple of films in hand including I Love My India that will be released during the Pujas, besides a few others,” Mohanty remarked.
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