Veteran Odia actor Minaketan Das (56) passed away on Friday night at his residence here after battling with cancer for several days.
Odia film industry members, intellectuals, film lovers and fans rushed to his house on Saturday morning to pay him their last respects.
“Das ruled the hearts of cine lovers for decades with his tremendous acting skills. He was known for his portrayal of negative characters in theatres, movies and serials,” actor and producer Pradyumna lenka said.
“I considered Minabhai as a guru in the Jatra industry. The super hit Jatra Kaudi Khela directed by him had brought me to limelight,” popular opera artist Daitari Panda said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also expressed his grief over Das’ demise. “It is a great loss for the Odia film industry,” he tweeted.
Due to paucity of funds, Das’s family had faced problem in providing appropriate treatment to him, who was undergoing treatment in a Mumbai hospital earlier.
He was admitted to a hospital in Bhubaneswar after he felt pain due to excess release of sodium from his body. He was later diagnosed with cancer.