Veteran actor of “Sala Budha” fame Atal Bihari Panda passed away while undergoing treatment at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla in wee hours of Saturday. He was 92.
Panda, who is known for his works in Sambalpuri films, was under treatment at the hospital for septicemia. He breathed his last at around 3.45 am, informed his son Arun Panda.
The artist has worked in over a hundred plays and written about 65 dramas both in Odia and Koshali languages. He also worked as a playwright in six operas.
A native of Binika in Subarnapur district, Panda debuted in films at the age of 83 with “Sala Budha”. He won Odisha State Film awards back-to-back for his performance in “Sala Budha” and its sequel “Aadim Vichar” in 2013 and 2014, respectively.