Bhubaneswar: Eminent Odia film producer, businessman and social worker Rabindra Sahu passed away on Wednesday evening while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 81. A native of Kendrapara district, Sahu had been unwell for several days and breathed his last during treatment, family sources said.
His demise marks the end of a significant era in the Odia film industry, where he remained an active and influential figure for more than three decades.
A Distinguished Journey in Odia Cinema
Rabindra Sahu entered the Odia film industry in 1987 as a co-producer of Ei Ta Duniya, beginning a long and impactful association with Odia cinema. Over the years, he established himself as a well-known producer with a reputation for supporting commercially successful and audience-friendly films.
He produced more than 15 Odia movies, several of which went on to become popular hits. His notable works include Bastraharan, Pacheri Uthila Majhi Duaaru, Kul Nandan, Naga Panchami, Kotiere Gotie, Mani Nageswari and Rasika Nagar, which was his final production. Apart from film production, he was also associated with a few projects as an actor, according to family members.
Business, Social Service and Political Involvement
Beyond cinema, Rabindra Sahu was a successful businessman and a committed social worker. He was actively involved with various organisations and contributed to several community welfare initiatives, especially in Kendrapara district.
He also played a role in public life and politics. Sahu had earlier served as a councillor and later contested the Odisha Assembly elections from the Kendrapara constituency as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.
Condolences and Tributes
Tributes poured in from the Odia film fraternity, cultural organisations and political circles following his passing. Many remembered him as a producer who helped shape mainstream Odia cinema and as a person deeply committed to social causes.
Fakir Charan Khatua, president of the Chasi Mulia Sangha and a close associate, described Sahu as a dedicated social worker and a producer with a strong inclination towards quality cinema. He said Sahu’s films left a lasting impact on audiences across Odisha and contributed significantly to the growth of the regional film industry.
Details regarding his last rites are awaited.
