No restriction imposed on Manoj Mishra: OFPDG

Bhubaneswar: Ollywood industry since last week is fighting an inner battle after actor and producer Manoj Mishra being banned by the producers and The Utkal Cine Chambers of Commerce from the Odia film industry for two years over the allegation that his supporter attempted to stop actor Arindam Roy’s new movie RAM.

Reacting to the issue Arun Mohanty secretary of Odisha Film Producers and Distributors Guild (OFPDG) Monday said that we support Manoj Mishra and there is no restriction imposed on him by our association.

At a press meet Monday said “We have come know that some producers have imposed restriction on you to act in Odia films. It is unfortunate and it has turned to a mega regional feelings and western Odisha people are hurt by this decision. Even political activities have been accelerated.”

He added “Our Odisha is one. There is no place of east, west, north & south Odisha. Our film industry is one as odia film industry. We respect all the languages are been told within Odisha territory.”

He said that as Secretary of Odisha Film Producers & Distributors Guild that our association have not imposed any restriction on you to act in odia films by our members. At this crucial time please maintain calm for the betterment of Odia film industry and Odisha as a whole.

Earlier, Odia actor Arindam Roy Sunday opened up about the controversy surrounding the two-year-long ban of actor Manoj Mishra by the producers’ association.
Addressing a press conference, Arindam appealed Manoj Mishra to resolve the dispute.

“I have been calling and texting you, but have not been able to get in touch with you yet. You or I may have felt bad about something but it is better to forget them all. Let’s sit down and sort out the differences,” he said.

It can be mentioned here that the controversy surrounding Odia actor Manoj Mishra has been escalating for last few days. The Utkal Cine Chambers of Commerce (UCCC) has imposed a two-year ban on him. This decision was made following allegations that a campaign to boycott Arindam Roy-starrer film Ram in Sambalpur was engineered by Manoj Mishra as Mishra had some issues with actor Jitu Mangaraj. Mishra, however, denies these allegations