Mahasweta Ray

{{short description|Indian Odia actress}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Mahashweta Ray | image = Mahasweta-Ray.jpg | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|07|2|df=yes}} | birth_place = Puri, Orissa, India | occupation = {{hlist|Actress|Politician}} | years_active = 1975–present | parents = Rajkishore Ray | spouse = Sirish Routray | relatives = Aparajita Mohanty (cousin)<br/> Uttam Mohanty (cousin in law) <br/>Babushan Mohanty (nephew)<br/> Buddhaditya Mohanty (nephew) | political_party = Bharatiya Janata Party (2018–present) }} '''Mahasweta Ray''' is an Indian actress, television personality and politician who is known for her work in Odia films and soap operas. Her numerous accolades include record 8 Odisha State Film Awards.

==Biography== She was born to Indian writer Rajkishore Ray. She has a sister named Malavika Ray. Aparajita Mohanty is her cousin sister.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Swaraj |date=25 April 2019 |title=Grandfather of matinee idol was Law Minister of Odisha |url=https://sambadenglish.com/grandfather-of-matinee-idol-was-law-minister-of-odisha/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120021339/https://sambadenglish.com/grandfather-of-matinee-idol-was-law-minister-of-odisha/ |archive-date=20 November 2021 |access-date=9 November 2025 |website=Sambad English |language=en}}</ref> In the initial years she had had limited exposure to cinema before she started a career in film. She worked on a majority of the films by Sisir Mishra, including many box office successes. She is married to Sirish Routray and together the couple has a son named Rishi Routray'''.'''

She began her career while she was in her teens with the film titled Jhumka. In 1978, she made her Bollywood film debut through the film ''Priyatama.''

Bengali films she worked on include ''Aranyer Adhikar'' (1998), ''Katha Chhilo'' (1994), ''Sajani Go Sajani'' (1991), ''Sujan Sakhi'' (1995) and ''Nyayachakra'' (1991). She won state awards for acting in ''Kaberi'' (1983), ''Pooja'' (1981), and ''Gouri'' (1979).<ref>{{cite news|author=Kasturi Ray |title=Weaving a legacy of grace|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/article169450.ece?service=print|newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=12 December 2010| access-date=11 October 2014 |archive-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102095756/http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/article169450.ece?service=print|url-status=dead}}</ref>

She is actively associated with the Oriya film industry, doing some character roles and some tele-serials.<ref>{{cite web|title=Veteran Ollywood actress Mahasweta Ray receives FitFat Bioscope Award|url=http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=23367|publisher=Orissa Diary|date=23 December 2010|quote=Versatile actor and arguably the most popular leading female actress of Odia film, Mahasweta Ray received this year's FitFat Bioscope Award.|access-date=11 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018201440/http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=23367|archive-date=18 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Oriya Odia Cinema Actress Mahasweta Ray and her Biography and Filmography in Year 1976 - 1993|date=25 September 2010 |url=http://odiacinemaworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/oriya-odia-cinema-actress-mahasweta-roy.html|publisher=Oriya Cinema World|access-date=11 October 2014|archive-date=12 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112104353/http://odiacinemaworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/oriya-odia-cinema-actress-mahasweta-roy.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Political career == In February 2018, Ray joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.<ref>{{cite news |title=Veteran Odia Actor Mahasweta Ray Joins BJP, Says "Influenced By PM Modi's Ideology |url=https://www.ndtv.com/bhubaneshwar-news/veteran-odia-actor-mahasweta-ray-joins-bjp-says-influenced-by-pm-modis-ideology-1811848 |publisher=NDTV |date=12 February 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mahasweta joins BJP |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/odisha/2018/Feb/13/mahasweta-joins-bjp-1772581.html |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=13 February 2018 }}</ref>

==Filmography== {{div col|colwidth=20em}}  *''Chumki My Darling'' (2021) *''Jaga Hatare Pagha'' (2015) *''Lekhu Lekhu Lekhi Deli'' (2014) *''Hata Dhari Chalutha'' (2013) *''Mu Eka Tumara'' (2013) *''Superstar'' (2013) *''Target'' (2012) *''Raja Jhia Sathe Heigala Bhaba'' (2011) *''Kemiti a Bandhan'' (2010) *''Tu Thile Mo Dara Kahaku'' (2007) *''Mo Suna Pua'' (2003) *''Sabata Maa'' (2000) *''Bou'' (1998) *''Gopa Re Badhhuchhi Kala Kanhei'' (1995) *''Chamatkar (Sony TV)'' (1994) *''Kula Nandan'' (1994) *''Kothachilo'' (1994)(Bengali) *''Akuha Katha'' (1994) *''Suna Bhauja'' (1993) *''Bhagya Hate Doro'' (1992) *''Agni Sanket'' (1992) *''Ghara Mora Swarga'' (1992) *''Mukti Tirtha'' (1992) *''Kandhei'' (1990) *''Jaa Devi Sarva Bhuteshu'' (1990) * ''Nyayachakra''(1990) (Bengali) *''Panchu Pandav'' (1989) *''Golamgiri'' (1987) *''Bagula Baguli'' (1987) *''Paka Kambal Pot Chhata'' (1986) *''Gruhalakshmi'' (1985) *''Samay Bada Balwan'' (1982) *''Dora'' (1984) *''Hira Nila'' (1984) *''Jaga Balia'' (1984) *''Kaberi'' (1983) *''Kalyani'' (1983) *''Swapna Sagara'' (1983) *''Ashanta Graha'' (1982) *''Hisab Nikas'' (1982) *''Akshi Trutiya'' (1981) *''Pooja'' (1981) *''Seeta Raati'' (1981) *''Sei Sura'' (1981) *''Tike Hasa Tike Luha'' (1981) *''Baata Abaata'' (1980) *''Sajani Go Sajani'' (Bengali) *''Jai Maa Mangala'' (1980) *''Maa-o-Mamata'' (1980) *''Gauri'' (1979) *''Nijhum Rati Ra Saathi'' (1979) *''Sindura Bindu'' (1976) *''Janmadata'' (1978) *''Jhilimil'' (1978) *''Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja'' (1978) * ''Priyatama'' (1978) *''Sankha Mahuri'' (1978) *''Sati Anasuya'' (1978) *''Pranam Kharedhu'' (22 SEP 1978) *''Ae Nuhen Kahani'' (1977) *''Hira Moti Manika'' (1976) *''Shesha Shrabana'' (1976) *''Jhumuka'' (1975) {{div col end}}

==See also== *Prashanta Nanda *National Film Awards

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|1127307}} *[http://www.orissacinema.com/history/orissa-state-film-award.html Orissa State Film Award Winners]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ray, Mahasweta}} Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Indian film actresses Category:Actresses in Odia cinema Category:Actresses from Odisha Category:People from Puri Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Odisha Category:Women in Odisha politics Category:Indian actor-politicians Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:21st-century Indian actresses Category:21st-century Indian women politicians