Bhubaneswar: According to family reports, veteran Odia film actress Sudharani Jena, a doctor by profession, passed away on Wednesday after a brief illness.
Jena, who began her acting career in the 1960s, received numerous awards for her outstanding work in classic movies including “Gapahele Bi Sata,” “Ram Balram,” “Kaveri,” “Jhia Ti Sita Par,” “Sankha Mahuri,” and “Topae Sindura Di Pata Sankha.”
The death of Jena on Tuesday has cast gloom over the Odia film industry. Her passing is thought to have signaled the end of an era for Odisha’s film industry.
A multi-faceted personality and a versatile actor, Jena had made a foray into the film industry in the 60s. She had reportedly made her debut in ‘Parinama’ produced by Kabiraj Krushnachandra Tripathy Sharma.
After a short break, she re-entered the tinsel world in 1976 and carved a special identity in the Odia cine industry.
Jena, who is a doctor by profession, began acting while she was a medical college student. She had received the best actress prize for four consecutive years thanks to her outstanding work.
