From reel to real, Odia actor Sabyasachi Mishra gets hero makeover
famous Odia film actor Sabyasachi Mishra received a message on Twitter from Dhariti Patra, a Mumbai resident. Patra’s mother was a cancer patient and was due to be operated in AIIMS Bhubaneswar on March 28, but before it could happen, the hospital turned all its resources towards managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Desperate, 21-year-old Patra tweeted to the 35-year-old actor to help her mother get the treatment she needed. She also tweeted to the Odia chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Odia actor-turned-Member of Parliament Anubhav Mohanty on March 28.
“Everyone thinks movie actors can work miracles in real life, but it does not happen that way. So I ignored the messages. But a few days later, I thought if I can help her in any way, let me try,” said Mishra, an engineer-turned-actor, who came into prominence with the Odia movie Pagal Premi in 2007.
Mishra contacted a private hospital in Bhubaneswar and arranged for the mother’s transportation from her village in Ganjam district, Odisha, to the capital city, where she underwent chemotherapy. “When [Patra] called up from Mumbai to say she can never forget the help, I felt I can be of some help to people apart from entertaining them in movies,” said Mishra.
“I had become desperate as AIIMS had refused to operate my mother. I was in Mumbai and could not travel due to lockdown. Though I had tweeted to CM and BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty, I did not get any help. Luckily, Sabyasachi bhai saw the tweet and decided to help out. I can’t be thankful enough,” Patra said.
Two and half months later, Mishra, who is known for his romantic lover-boy roles, has helped thousands of migrant workers. Turning his home into a control room, he coordinated the return of Odia migrant workers from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, among others, several of whom had already started their journey back on foot. Since May 11, the actor has helped transport close to 3000 people through buses, trains, flights and car.
UNICEF India tweeted his appeal through a video and said, “It’s not just the spread of #COVID19 we need to respond against, stigma and discrimination during these times is equally harmful.
Sabyasachi Mishra, Odia and Telugu film actor encourages us to spread positivity and care for each other.”
In the video Sabyasachi appeals:
“Namaskar. I am Sabyasachi. Hope you and your family are safe and doing well. Today I don’t want to talk about the COVIC-19 pandemic. In fact, I am here to speak to you about an issue which is far more dangerous than COVID-19. I am aware that right now we all fear COVID-19, and this fear is quite understandable. This also helps us stay alert and take precautions. We need to be conscious of the situation and stay away from possible sources of the virus. But when fear turns to panic, problems become huge. Today based on false and fake information, this fear has become deep-rooted in our society. And this is wrong. I would like to tell you that this fight of ours is against a virus. It’s not against any race, religion or people of a certain region. During such trying times we need to help each other. We should be sympathetic to each other. And remember one more thing, if our fear assumes undesirable proportions. It will discourage people from going for their COVID-19 tests. The fear of being ostracized from their village and the fear of possible insults for the family will discourage many from going to a health center for a test. And this will create bigger problems and will worsen the situation. I would once again request you to rely on information from the government and credible sources. Please do not panic unnecessarily. I hope you know how to keep yourself protected from COVID-19. Wash your hands properly with soap and water for twenty seconds, wear masks and maintain social distance. Doing so will keep you and your family safe from COVID-19. Once again, I would like to say that this is the time.
