Veteran Odia actor Hara Patnaik passes away

Veteran Odia actor and director Hara Patnaik breathed his last here Tuesday at a private hospital where he was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Patnaik, 55, is survived by his wife and two daughters.

"We had discharged him from the hospital and sent him home last evening (Monday). But he was brought back to the hospital this morning (Tuesday) after his condition deteriorated. He was admitted to the ICU where he died today," Ghanashyam Biswas of Sparsh Hospital told media here.

Biswas said his condition had been deteriorating for the last one-and-half years and he remained hospitalised for most of the time.

Hara Patnaik, who ruled the hearts of Odia cinema lovers for two decades redefining the role of villain, set new benchmarks in Odia films and launched many actors as director.

His body was taken to his hometown in Cuttack and would be kept for his fans and admirers to have a last glimpse of the popular actor. He would be cremated Wednesday, said his family.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, Odisha Congress president Prasad Harichandan and state BJP president K.V. Singhdeo besides many ministers of the state government condoled the death of Hara Patnaik.