Odia Jatra actor Sanjay Bhola faces ban from writers’ association

Sanjay Bhola, a prominent figure in Odia Jatra (folk theatre) community, was banned from performing with member troupes of the Odisha Masters’ Association (OMA), on Tuesday, after alleging plagiarism and a face-off with the writers’ outfit.

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This is the second time Bhola has faced such a suspension after a previous apology for similar controversies.

Will the mighty roar of Sanjay Bhola on Jatra stage continue?

Not one to be deterred, Bhola announced plans to possibly establish his own Jatra troupe, ‘Opera Mahabala’, demonstrating his resolve to continue in the Jatra industry despite the controversies.

The community is presently grappling with ongoing issues such as unpaid dues, allegations of casting couch practices, and disputes over script authenticity.

OMA president Bijay Das stated that any group associating with Bhola would face a boycott from directors, musicians, and writers linked with the association. This response follows Bhola’s public criticism of the creative processes within the Jatra, where he alleged rampant plagiarism.

Bhola’s current affiliation with the Rajnandini Jatra party is at a crossroads, as Bijay Das has stepped back from upcoming shows like ‘Ravana’ and ‘Pahanti Ratira Papa’, citing Bhola’s implicating involvement. The actor defends his stance, questioning the outfit’s jurisdiction over artistic content.

As Bhola’s confrontation with OMA persists, the future of Jatra in Odisha seems poised on the brink of a significant transformation. The resolution of these disputes could potentially reshape the regional theatre landscape.

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“Perhaps we are not eligible to be the Guru of Sanjay Bhola,” OMA president Das said.
Reacting to this, actor Sanjay Bhola stated, “Why would one pursue Matriculation again after completing PG (post-graduation)?”

Reported By: Ajit Nayak, Niranjan Reddy, Saroj Behera