Prashanta Nanda

Date of Birth : May  2 

The name of Prasantha Nanda would always come while dealing with Oriya Film Industry and Bengali Cinema of West Bengal. He was present in Oriya films since 1962, but he became super active only after 1976. Nanda served Oriya Film Industry as an actor, director, screenplay writer, and lyricist and even as a playback singer.

Such a versatile genius is quite rare in Indian cinema history. Nanda never win any National Awards. 2009, his film Jianta Bhoota won National Film Awards under National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Environment/Conservation/Preservation Film category.

He was the Bharatiya Janata Party's senior leader and Orissa state BJP Vice President and resigned from the primary membership of the party in August 2007.

After that he joined Nationalist Congress Party.In Oriya film industry only Tarasankar Mishra woned National award as a child artist for Oriya Film Lavynapreeti, Manjula Kunar had won national award as a best supporting actress for her acting in BHAnga Silata, till 2012 no Odia actor or actress have won national award.

He acted as male lead and directed the Hindi film Naiyya released on the year 1979.