Bijay Mohanty was born in 1950 at Pandiri, Kendrapara and brought up in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha. He started acting during his school days while studying at M.K.C High School. After his graduation with BA, he joined the National School of Drama. He passed successfully from the NSD with classmates like Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, and Om Puri etc. He acted in the theatres and stayed in Delhi up to 1975. After returning to Odisha, he devoted himself to directing plays.

Married Life

Bijay was married to Tandra Ray, an actress in the Odia film industry. Bijay Mohanty and Tandra Ray acted in a number of films opposite each other. They have one daughter.

Career

In 1977, Mohanty started upon his career in the Odia film industry with the film Chilika Teerey which won the National Award for that year. Initially, he opted mostly for negative roles. Naga Phasa, Samay Bada Balaban, Danda Balunga, Sahari Bagha, Chaka Bhaunri, and Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi are some of his most notable films as villane. He acted in almost every manner of roles available to him; ranging from hero, villain, and comedian to character roles etc. In every field he left his incomparable mark. Mohanty’s other notable films include; Arati (1981), Mamata Mage Mula (1985), Aei Aama Sansara (1986), Aama Ghara Aama Sansara (1991), Vidhata (Telugu-1991), Ki Heba Sua Posile, Bhisma Pratigya (1993), Bhai Hela Bhagari (1994), Suna Panjuri, Laxman Rekha, Rakhi Bhijigala Akhi Luhare and I Love My India.

He also directed the movie Bhuli Huena.

He joined the Drama department of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in 1977 and retired as a professor from the institute in recent years.

Jugechha, a drama troupe that he formed in his native place of Baripada was a well-known troupe and staged plays in different parts of Odisha as well as throughout the country.

Some of his television serials aired on Doordarshan include; Asara Aloka, Sri Jagannath, Subhadra, Sara Akasa, Samaya Chaka, Sakalara Apekhya Re, Nadekhile Loka Dekhe, Mahayagyan and Bidhatara Khela.

Political Career

Bijay joined Indian National Congress on 27 February 2014. He stood for election to become a member of Parliament from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat in 2014 Indian general elections and was defeated. Recently he declared his resignation from Congress citing that he was not actively involved in politics after the 2014 general elections.

Death

Bijay Mohanty died in Care Hospital at the age of 70 on 20 July 2020 evening in Bhubaneswar. After his condition deteriorated in the evening, he was rushed to Care Hospitals. He, however, died while undergoing treatment.