Susri Manaswini Satapathy Looks to Make Her Mark with Ollywood Debut in ‘Debakanya’

Bhubaneswar: With a passion for performance and years of training in classical dance and theatre, newcomer Susri Manaswini Satapathy is set to make her Ollywood debut with Debakanya, which is scheduled to hit theatres in November.

The film stars Subhasis Sharma in the titular role and explores the world of Odisha’s traditional Ghoda Nacha folk performance.
For Susri, the film marks the beginning of a journey she has envisioned since childhood.

An English honours student and a trained Odissi dancer, she has nurtured an interest in the entertainment industry from an early age, balancing her academic pursuits with dance, theatre and acting.

“I have always dreamt of being part of the entertainment industry. I started learning dance at a very young age, and performing has always been something I love,” Susri said.

In Debakanya, she plays the wife of the protagonist, a boy who performs Ghoda Nacha dressed as a girl. As he repeatedly takes on the feminine role, his mannerisms, gestures, speech and behaviour gradually begin to reflect it. Devoted to Goddess Mangala, he comes to be known as ‘Debakanya’.

Susri’s character, however, stands in opposition to her husband’s choice, bringing a different dimension to the film’s central conflict.

Talking about how she landed the role, the actress said she felt grateful when the filmmakers selected her after a screen test. The director and other members of the team liked her performance, giving her the opportunity to begin her cinematic journey with the project.

“I felt very grateful when I was selected for the role. I had appeared for a screen test, and the director and others liked my performance. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to begin my journey in films,” she said.

Working alongside Subhasis Sharma was another important part of the experience. Susri described it as a great learning opportunity, adding that she gained valuable insights into acting while working with the experienced actor.

Although dance has been an integral part of her life, Susri does not have an opportunity to showcase her Odissi skills in Debakanya. However, she sees no reason to be disappointed. Having performed at several events and continuing to teach young learners the nuances of the classical dance form, she remains connected to her artistic roots.

“I did not get an opportunity to showcase my Odissi dance in this film, but that is absolutely fine with me. I have performed at several events and also teach young dancers. Through cinema, I want to explore my acting abilities and take up different kinds of roles,” she said.

Her engagement with the performing arts also extends to theatre, where she has gained experience on stage. Susri said she intends to continue performing in theatre even as she explores opportunities in films.

Behind her aspirations is the steady support of her family and dance teachers, who have encouraged her throughout her journey. Their encouragement, she said, has played an important role in helping her pursue her interests.

Produced under the banner of Supreme Entertainment by Suresh Kumar Sahu and Bhairavi Tripathy, Debakanya is written by Shankar Tripathy and directed by filmmaker Rasesh Mohanty.

As she prepares for her first appearance on the big screen, Susri Manaswini Satapathy hopes to build on her experience in dance and theatre to establish herself as an actor capable of taking on a wide variety of roles. With Debakanya, she is ready to take her first step into the world of Odia cinema.