• You have finally made it to the Rajya Sabha. How do it feel?
I can feel the faith of my leader in me today. I had felt it the day he had announced my name for the Rajya Sabha. Now I have to meet his expectations and ensure that our demand for special category state status to Odisha is raised in the Upper House and our voice on issues such as discontinuation of many central schemes and curtailment of Centre's share for state projects is heard. We have to remind the Centre that it has to treat all states as equals and address our concerns on issues such as the Mahanadi water sharing, Polavaram dispute and new railway zones for the state.
• Contesting a direct election now seems to be a closed chapter for you...
I am now 71. I had already announced two years ago that I would only work for the party and not contest any election. After seeing my work, the party has decided to send me to the Rajya Sabha.
• You were a BJP minister in the coalition government in 2000-2004 and worked under Naveen Patnaik. You were thrown out of the ministry. You gained his confidence once again and you were made the BJD spokesperson and now have become a Rajya Sabha member from the party. What difference do you find between the Naveen of then and now?
I have never found any difference in Naveen babu. I knew him even when he was not chief minister. At that time, he was Union steel minister. He is a man who does not believe in talking too much. He always wants people to work more and talk less and focus on people's welfare, especially that of the poorest of the poor. He has over the years become more mature and knows problems of people in all parts of the state.
• But you had been removed from ministry by Naveen Patnaik...
You must know the cardinal rule of a coalition government. The chief minister who belongs to other party cannot throw away even the chaparasi belonging to the partner party unless told specifically by the partner. I was in the BJP at the time and I know for sure that he did not want to sack me. Instead, my party wanted it because I was becoming popular and emerging as the face of the BJP in Odisha. There were people in the BJP who had become jealous of me and wanted to oust me from the ministry. The chief minister had no choice.
• Being a stalwart of state BJP for many years, how do you see the BJP's future in Odisha?
The BJP's future in Odisha is bleak. The only good thing for them had been their improved showing in the panchayat polls. Democracy needs a strong opposition but the Congress is weakening in the state.
• Having been in the BJP, do you think that the party can be perceived as a threat to BJD ?
The leaders BJP is projecting cannot match Naveen. The BJP has also been declining progressively. It had 37 MLAs in 2000, the number shrunk to 34 in 2004 and now they have just 10. Their performance in the panchayat polls should not mislead people. The truth is that we are controlling maximum blocks and the Congress is at number two. The BJP's so called popularity is media hype but as long as Naveen is there, BJP cannot rise in Odisha.
• Many film stars are joining BJP. What is attracting them to the BJP?
The artists who did not find a place in BJD had joined the BJP. They are free individuals, they can go to any party.
• Your screen partner for decades, Mahasweta Ray, joined the BJP recently...
When she was acting in my films, she was also acting in other films. She is a different entity and her profession is acting. As she thinks the BJP is better, she has joined it. I respect her decision.
• Do you think film stars translate crowds into votes during elections ?
They attract people to create an atmosphere in favour of the parties they belong to. But crowds do not necessarily mean votes. Unless you do organisational work, it's difficult to win an election. In 2019, whether or not you hold a rally, the people will vote if you have done your homework. Naveen Patnaik is very conscious of this. He is identifying problems and addressing them.
• What's your vision for Odisha?
My vision is that the spirit of the Constitution of India be respected and the party which comes to power at the Centre treats all states equally which not happening at the moment. They are talking about Gujarat model but we are number one in every sphere whether it's health or education. Why not talk about the Odisha model then. My vision of Odisha is same as that of Naveen babu.
• The difference of opinion in your party is becoming prominent. It may pose a serious threat to the party before the 2019 election...
I don't think so. It's a big party with a record of 18 years of governance in the state. There may be difference of opinion as the aspirations of many people remain unfulfilled. The people who were earlier rewarded are now talking much.
• Don't you think recognition for you has come late as compared to other film stars in your party such as Anubhab Mohanty and Siddhant Mohapatra?
In politics, there are no seniors and juniors. What is important is how long you carry on. It's like a marathon race. There are miles to cover.
• Questions have been raised about the chief minister nominating people from outside the party to the Rajya Sabha and ignoring the claims of many party veterans...
Such questions are only being raised by people who got everything during the past 18 years. They are now talking as the chief minister has decided they are not worth it. In a regional party, you have to abide by the decision of the leader. Some discipline has to be there.
• Will you continue to be part of the film industry?
My only identity is that of a film-maker and till the end, I will have that identity.
• Any regrets?
Many. Almost all our films are now imports from the south. I regret that we could not stop this trend. Secondly, the number of cinemas in the state should be more because this will boost the economic viability of Odia films. At least one cinema should come up in each block.
