Mahasweta was born in an academic family (Rajkishore Ray was a writer and academic) and had had limited exposure to cinema before she started a career in film. She worked on a majority of the films by Sisir Mishra, including many box office successes. She married Sirish Routray, with whom she has a son, Rishi. Bengali films she worked on include Aranyer Adhikar (1998), Katha Chhilo (1994), Sajani Go Sajani (1991), Sujan Sakhi (1995) and Nyayachakra (1991). She won state awards for acting in Kaberi (1983), Pooja (1981), and Gouri (1979). Mahasweta paired opposite Telugu star Chiranjeevi in later’s debut film Pranam Khareedu (1978).

Mahasweta was often paired with actor Prashant Nanda. Their pair given superhit films like Sesha Shravan, Gouri, Swapna Sagar, Jaga Balia, Maa O Mamata, Panchu Pandav, Lal Pan Bibi, Golamgiri among others. She played powerful women centric characters in revenge dramas like ‘Jaa Devi Sarva Bhuteshu’, ‘Bastra Haran’. She played women centric mother roles in her later films like, ‘Bou’, ‘Tu Thile Mo Dara Kahaku’, ‘Jaga Hatare Pagha’ and ‘Chini’. Mahasweta was among top actress during her prime time.

The actress, who ruled the Odia film industry for nearly four decades, was signed for playing all kinds of roles including, daughter-in-law, a messiah for the poor, a political leader and a village girl. She was also paid the highest. She has worked with all leading actors like Prashant Nanda, Uttam Mohanty, Sriram panda, Ajit Das, Bijay Mohanty and under top directors.