At a time when the controversy surrounding the ban on actor Manoj Mishra doesn’t seem to die down even after political meddling by senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra, the actor on Saturday announced that he has banned producer Tutu Nayak.
Addressing a press conference, actor Mishra, who has been banned by the Utkal Cine Chambers of Commerce for a period of two years, said he wouldn’t act in any of Tutu Nayak’s films.
“The film industry is not confined to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar only. The industry is of entire Odisha and I am an Odia. I am yet to receive any letter regarding my ban. However, producer Tutu Nayak has told before media that I have been banned. And I am now saying that I have banned that Tutu Nayak. I won’t act in his films in my lifetime,” said Mishra.
“Who is he (Tutu Nayak) to ban me? I am hearing that he is conspiring against me. I feel my life is under threat,” added the actor.
When journalists asked actor Mishra about his opinion on Odisha having been divided into two parts over the controversy, he parried the question and left the place.
Meanwhile, Congress leader’s interference in the film industry matter has not gone down well with some, including senior actor and Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) President, Kuna Tripathy.
“I do not like outsiders (Narasingha Mishra) fuelling the dispute by putting ghee on it. There is an Artist's Association in Odisha in which all these disputes are raised and resolved. I call upon both parties to come to the office and discuss the matter. I am sure the dispute will be resolved within 2-3 days,” said Tripathy.