Film producer Kusha Patnaik dies in road accident

Bhubaneswar: It was a black Thursday for Ollywood industry with two incidents that left many in a state of shock.

Hardly had the industry recovered from the news of the arrest of comedian Tatwa Prakash Satapathy aka Papu Pom Pom in a case of sexual abuse of a minor girl when it got another shocker in the form of the sudden demise of leading film producer Kusha Ranjan Patanik on Thursday night.

Patnaik, who was also the president of the Odia Film Producers’ Association, died on Thursday night in a road accident near Ram Mandir square here. He was 56.

According to sources, the incident took place when Patnaik was crossing the road. A speeding bike hit Patnaik leaving him seriously injured. Patnaik was rushed to a private hospital where doctors declared him dead, sources added

The autopsy will be conducted today and the last rites of Patnaik will be performed later in the day, said sources.

Patnaik had produced movies like Kandhei Akhire Luha, Kehi Jane Bhala Lagere and Chocolate.