At an age when kids spend much of their free time playing video games or watching television, Animesh Ghosh from Baripada in Mayurbhanj district has already starred in 20 Odia and Bangla films. The 12-year-old is one of the most accomplished child artistes of his generation and has acted with many popular stars of the Odia film industry. He is also involved in philanthropy and helps underprivileged kids using a part of his income.
Animesh, whose acting skills have been evident since he was very young, has already bagged a number of district and state level awards. Receiving an award from the former President of India Pranab Mukherjee is one of the most memorable moments of his life, he says.
Born to Anshuman and Sujata Ghosh, Animesh is a student of class VII of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Murgabadi, Baripada. He loves to dance and play cricket and is popular among the teachers and students as a meritorious student.
From an early age, Animesh exhibited his artistic side. He was able to flawlessly copy the dance moves of the actors on the television screen. Realising his exceptional talent, his parents encouraged him to participate in dance and acting competitions. Given the opportunity, Animesh mesmerised the audience with one stunning performance after another. He says, “As a small child, I used to watch a lot of television programmes. Often, I wondered how the actors managed to transform themselves into some other character with such ease. I tried to copy them and that is how acting turned into a passion for me. Though my heart was in acting, I never lost focus of my studies. I want to join the civil services in future, but I don’t plan to quit acting.”
The Odia films that Animesh was part of include Something Something, Matric Fail, ACP Sagarika, Mun Eka Tumara, Kehi Jane Bhala Lagere, Hata Dhari Chalutha, Banchbo Ami Tomar Buke (Bengali film), Agastya, Dele Dhara Katha Sare, Anarkali, Ishq Puni Thare and the blockbuster film of 2018, Prem Kumar. He earned accolades playing a negative character also. In the movie Match Box, he had a significant role and was nominated for an award at the 3rd Kolkata International Film Festival. Though Animesh has worked with many top stars, he loves to work with Odia superstar Anubhav Mohanty.
His superlative performances earned him many awards such as the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement in 2015 that he received from the president at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on the eve of Children’s Day. Other awards include Best Child Artiste-Tarang Cine award 2016 for the Odia film Nua Nua Premare, Abhinandanika Sisu Samman at Srikhetra Pustak Mela, Puri, Gourab 2015 from KIIT University, and best entertaining performance for Itikili Mitikili on Doordarshan. He has got several other prizes in district and state level dance competitions.
Apart from acting, Animesh takes keen interest in social service. “I always feel for the less privileged kids,” he says.
One day, he spotted a child begging on the street and crying in hunger. The incident moved him so much that he decided to do something for such kids. Saving from what he gets as remuneration, he has now started an organisation ‘Animesh Foundation’ to help orphan kids. Animesh celebrates his birthdays and other festivals such as Diwali and Holi with these children. He also gifts notebooks, pens, pencils, study and sport material to the kids at the orphanage. He has been a part of many programmes opposing child labour.
“We are really blessed to have a child like Animesh. Sometimes we wonder as to how he will maintain a balance between his shooting schedules and studies. We also appreciate his efforts for the underprivileged,” says his proud father Anshuman.