Namrata Das
Kendrapada, Odisha, India
Namrata Das is a highly respected Indian actress working predominantly in the Odia film industry, widely celebrated for her iconic supporting roles, most notably portraying motherly or grandmotherly figures. Born into a Zamindar Karan family in Kendrapada, Odisha, she faced early hardship when her mother passed away when she was just nine years old, leaving her to grow up alongside her four younger siblings. Despite these early challenges, she went on to build a monumental and enduring legacy in regional entertainment. Das made her cinematic acting debut in the 1973 Odia film Dharitri. Over the course of a remarkable career spanning several decades, she has acted in over two hundred Odia films as well as three Bengali films. Her extensive filmography includes beloved classics, critically acclaimed projects, and major commercial hits such as Kanakalata, Sindura Bindu, Taapoi, Panchu Pandaba, Suna Panjuri, and Balunga Toka. Beyond the silver screen, she has also been a prominent and familiar fixture on television, delivering memorable performances in popular serials like Katha Kahuthile Saribani, Adhikara, Suna Kalasa, To Aganara Tulasi Mun, and Tara Tarini. Her profound dedication to her craft and her consistent, comforting presence in Odia cinema have earned her significant critical acclaim and recognition. She is the recipient of the prestigious State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her compelling performance in the film Lakshmi Pratima. In January 2020, her lifetime of dedication to the arts was further honored when she received the Bhumi Kanya award, a testament to her exceptional, lifelong contributions to the Odia film and television industry.
