Bhubaneswar, Aug 31: In a heartfelt episode of the Argus Podcast, hosted by Sangram Keshari Sarangi, editor of Argus Digital, veteran Odia actor and director Ashrumochan Mohanty unveiled about his life, career, and the realities of working in the entertainment industry.

Introducing the guest, Sarangi said, “Today’s guest is different, unique—a deviation from the norm. He’s not just a celebrated artist but a simple, grounded man whose fame stems from his humility and sincerity. It is often said that the soul of India resides in its villages, and through one of his projects named ‘Chotta Mora Gaanti,’ he has journeyed to over 2,500 villages across Odisha, bringing stories of sorrow, resilience, and cultural richness to the people. He’s not just an actor but a director and storyteller. Acted in more than 80 films and directed over 150 jatra. He is Ashrumochan Mohanty.”

As the conversation progressed, Sarangi touched on a recurring theme in Mohanty’s past interviews—his dissatisfaction with remuneration. He asked, “You once went to do a South Indian film and mentioned that when they asked about your fee, they were shocked. Why did you quote such a low amount despite being such a renowned artist?”

Mohanty responded with a story that was both humorous and revealing. “The film was called Devan, directed by Arun Pandyan. Before the first day of shooting, someone from the team asked me how much I would charge. I kept thinking and finally said ₹25,000. I thought if they didn’t agree, I’d negotiate. But the guy looked at me in disbelief and asked, ‘₹25,000? Sir, ₹25,000?’ He then asked me to write it down. I wrote ‘25’ and added three zeros—₹25,000. He stared at me and said, ‘Are you serious?’ I felt so embarrassed, wondering where I stood.”

He continued, “The guy tore up the paper and brought another one, wrote ₹45,000 per day, and asked me to sign. I had work for 3–4 days, and they finalised it at ₹45,000 per day. Arun Pandian approved it happily. On the last day, Vijayakanth hosted a party for us. After the party, while leaving the hotel, they added ₹5,000 more per day and paid me ₹50,000. That day, I felt truly happy.”

The episode offered listeners a rare glimpse into the emotional and professional journey of a beloved artist who continues to inspire with his humility and dedication.

Click Here To Watch The Full Episode:

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