Aparajita Mohanty to Receive Basanta Nayak Memorial Award

By Odia Celebrity Last updated Jan 12, 2026

Bhubaneswar: Veteran Ollywood actress and the industry’s much-loved “Dream Girl” Aparajita Mohanty will be honoured with the Basanta Nayak Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award this year.

The announcement was made by the Basanta Nayak Foundation ahead of celebrations marking the 90th birth anniversary of legendary Odia film producer Basanta Nayak.

The birth anniversary will be observed on January 16 at Jayadev Bhavan, Bhubaneswar. In connection with the event, a press conference was held at the venue, attended by Basanta Nayak’s son Sanjay Kumar Nayak (Tutu), noted academic and playwright Purnachandra Mallik, senior film critic Surya Deo, lyricist Panchanan Nayak, BOU Foundation president Atish Mohanty, and senior actress Pinky Pradhan, among others.

Addressing the media, the organisers said the foundation has unanimously decided to confer this year’s lifetime achievement honour on Aparajita Mohanty in recognition of her immense contribution to Odia cinema.
Basanta Nayak, fondly remembered as the “dream merchant” of Odia cinema, played a pivotal role in shaping the panoramic vision of the industry by introducing memorable stars and path-breaking productions.

Whenever the “Dream Girl” Aparajita Mohanty and producer Basanta Nayak collaborated, Odia cinema witnessed a golden phase. Their creative partnership, spanning nearly three decades from the mid-1980s to 2009, left an indelible mark on audiences, blending powerful performances with innovative production values.

The decision to honour Aparajita Mohanty on the birth anniversary of Basanta Nayak has been widely welcomed, with film lovers and industry veterans expressing joy over the fitting tribute to one of Ollywood’s most iconic collaborations.

The commemorative event will also feature musical and dance performances set to popular songs from Brajraj Movies, with various artists coming together to make the evening a vibrant celebration of cinema, music and dance, paying homage to the enduring legacy of Basanta Nayak.