“Pade Akasha”- The Journey Of Dr. Sruti Mohapatra

“Pade Akasha”- The Journey Of Dr. Sruti Mohapatra

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it”- the famous quote by Nelson Mandela is very much appropriate for the life story of the disability rights activist Dr. Sruti Mohapatra. Recently she was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind for the years 2020 and 2021. 

Along with the award, there is great news for all her admires and for the people who wish to know more about her. One of the leading Odia film production houses, Tarang Cine Productions is all set to make a biopic on Dr. Mohapatra’s life. Announcing about the film at a special event on the eve of International Women’s Day this year, the makers released the poster. The shooting of the film will start from April, this year.

While Ollywood diva Archita Sahu, who has already played powerful women in movies Champion and Durgatinashini I and II, will be seen playing the role of Sruti, popular director Susant Mani will don the director’s hat. Excited and nervous at the same time, Archita said, “It’s a story which has elements like, struggle, disappointment, patience and success that paved the way for Sruti to become the champion she is today. I have never been so nervous while playing any character for any film before. For me it’s a very special film and to be able to play her for a film is a blessing and I feel very blessed to get such opportunity. This film is going to be a big moment in my acting career.”

Sruti dreamed of becoming an IAS officer, and had cleared the UPSC Civil Services exam in her twenties and made it to the Group A allied services. In the second attempt she clinched the interview call. Unfortunately, a few days before the interview, Sruti ended up severely injuring her spinal cord in a devastating car accident that would cost her the dream she had carried since childhood.

In 2001, she established Swabhiman, the State Disability Information and Resources Center in Bhubaneswar, which works towards empowering differently-abled people in the state and has been essaying the role of the chief executive since its inception.

Talking about the challenges, Mani said to My City Links, “For a director it becomes even more challenging when you are dealing with a non-fiction story, because in fiction, your imagination is not limited at all. But while making a biopic there is no place for your limitless imaginations. When we are making a documentary, it is for a specific audience, but while making a feature film we have to make sure that all types of audience can understand it.”

“The situations are real but we have to put it in a dramatic structure and present it as naturally as possible. The story is so inspiring, so our wish is to spread it to everyone through this film.” added the director.

Elaborating about some of her struggles, Sruti said, “By the Himalayan support that I got from my parents, my very loving siblings and professor, I am here today. It was challenging as I lost my job. And with great difficulty I went back to the university to earn my PHD. But even after that, nobody wanted me as a lecturer. At that point of life, I remember telling my father that for me, the wheelchair’s shadow has grown so large that Sruti doesn’t exist anymore, it’s just the woman in the wheelchair. So I want to commit suicide. Then he told me that it can be an option but I should consider it later. I should think of other options.”

“And that’s how I started private tuitions for children, Spoken English classes for women, and a study circle. With money in my pocket, I was confident. And I wanted to change the world around me. When I am seen at a cinema hall or in a restaurant people ask me what are you doing here. So to break these barriers it has taken almost 30 years of long struggle. But today I am delighted and I am very happy.” she added.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the society, Sruti was bestowed with the CNN-IBN Real Heroes Award in 2010. She was also awarded the Vidya Bhawan Social Service Award by the former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee in 2013. 

Appreciating the subject, Seshma, a B.Tech student, said, “Such path-breaking and inspirational stories of Odisha need to be brought to the notice of the local people as well as for people outside Odisha. I feel immensely happy that the Odia film industry is thinking about and bringing out the legacy of Odisha’s iconic personalities. This is a landmark change that is sure to drive our industry to newer heights.”

Another regular viewer of Odia films, Madhusuman Sethi, a corporate employee said, “A biopic always needs a realistic approach, which I think is not going to happen as the first look of the poster is not convincing at all. The protagonist should have shortened her hair at least to match up the look with Sruti. But it’s good to see at least we are now into making such biopics here, let’s hope for the best.”