Bhubaneswar: Veteran Odia movie actor Debu Bose died Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad. He was 76.
Born in 1942, Bose started his career with the film Tapasya in the 1980s. The actor has over 120 movies to his credit spanning over four decades.
Prior to acting, Bose trained as an Odissi dancer from the School of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Having spent some time with a regional theatre group Diganta, he had also directed a couple of plays for them during his stint.
Bose was one of the most influential actors in Odia movie industry and rose to prominence after portraying the role of ‘father’ in superhit Ollywood films like Pua Moro Kala Thakura, Samay Kheluchhi Chaka Bhaunri, Ki Heba Sua Posile, Phula Chandana and Suna Chadhei.
His last movie was Raasta which was released in 2014.
A man of many talents, Bose used to write scripts, direct plays and, act. He was popularly known as “Debu Da” in the film circle.
Orissa POST interacted with a few stars of Odia movie industry and here is what they had to say about the departed.
For Bijay Mohanty, it was difficult for him to accept the demise of Bose. “I feel numb. My feelings, they are ineffable,” he said. The unrestrained flow of emotions, that grip, that control over the character which he had, is till date unparalleled, he added. He concluded by saying that there cannot be another gentleman like Bose.
Mihir Das said, “Debu Bose was a great artist and a rare personality.” He mentioned that Bose always delivered performances even though he had problems of his own. “Clinical performances are attained by detachment from your personal feelings and emotions. That is what he taught the film industry,” he added. Nobody can fill the vacuum that is created with his demise, lamented Das.
Mourning the loss of Bose, actor Ajit Das said, “He was someone you could rely upon. My association with him was very different. He will always be my mentor,” he added.
Remembering his long association with Bose, veteran actor Uttam Mohanty said, “Debu did his first movie Ashanta Graha with me.” He informed that he had personally requested to bring Bose’s body from Hyderabad to the city here. “But, due to some problems, it couldn’t be arranged,” he lamented. His expertise and talent is testified by the fact that he was president of the cine association for several years.
Actress Aparajita Mohanty said, “Today Odia movie industry has lost a father figure.” She added that Bose was a depository of knowledge. “He was a living encyclopaedia. One could spend hours conversing with him. Moreover, he never failed to lighten you up with his humour,” she mentioned. Whenever there was any issue, he solved it in no time, she added. She concluded saying, “The industry has lost a great actor and human being.”
Actress Jhillik who has been very closely associated with Bose said, “There is no fresher who was not comfortable working with him.” A modest and humble guy, he never flaunted his stardom, she added. “No one can touch the magnanimity of his personality. May God give his family all the strength in this difficult time,” she concluded.